Hartlepool United's key 2021-22 League Two and cup fixture dates to look out for

The League Two fixtures have dropped and the Papa John’s Trophy and Carabao Cup first round draws are set to be concluded on Thursday afternoon.

Crucially, Pools will start and end their season at Victoria Park with a far more relaxed initial fixture schedule that they were used to last season.

Dave Challinor’s side will be relatively pleased with their start to the season as they face two sides who finished in the bottom six last season as well as fellow National League promotion side Sutton United.

Here are some key dates to look out for during the season:

Saturday, August 7

Pools will kick-off their return to League Two at Victoria Park against Crawley Town. With season tickets on sale, The Vic is sure to be rocking to watch Dave Challinor’s side get their season under way.

Wednesday, August 11

The following Wednesday, Pools will play a League Cup match for the first time since the 1-0 defeat to Preston North End in August 2016.

Saturday, November 6

For the first time in five years, Pools will start their FA Cup campaign in the first round proper, bypassing the fourth qualifying round that they have had to partake in whilst in the National League.

Sunday, December 26

After four seasons of being spoilt by short Boxing Day trips to the likes of Gateshead and Harrogate Town, Pools will make the 250-mile round trip to Field Mill to take on Mansfield Town this December.

Saturday, January 1

Pools will start 2022 at Victoria Park against Oldham Athletic on New Year's Day. Pools didn’t play a match on New Year’s Day last season.

Saturday, January 29

Hartlepool will make their longest trip of the League Two season to Exeter City’s St. James’s Park in late January.

Dave Challinor’s side are no strangers to coming up against the Devon outfit during their 2019-20 FA Cup run.

After coming from 2-0 down to force a replay, Pools progressed to the third round thanks to a Josh Hawkes winner after extra-time at Victoria Park.

It will be a near 700-mile round trip for the Poolies, who will be hoping some decent flights are available to Exeter Airport.

Friday, April 15

On Good Friday, Pools host Port Vale at Victoria Park to start a busy Easter Weekend of football.

The Vale have just signed promotion final goalscorer Lucas Covolan from Torquay United. He can expect an interesting reception at The Vic should he play.

Monday, April 18

On Easter Monday, Pools will make the relatively short journey to Rochdale. The trip is one of several in League Two that can be made in under three hours – far different from the National League.

Saturday, April 30

Hartlepool’s final away day of the 2021-22 League Two season will be at Scunthorpe United.

Having missed out on the now famous fancy dress for the past two seasons, Poolies will be keen to make amends and dress up for the visit to Glanford Park.

We wonder what the theme will be this time?

Saturday, May 7

Pools’ regular season will conclude where it started, at Victoria Park.

They will host Colchester United, who finished last season in 20th position in the League Two table.

All fixture dates are subject to change.

Hartlepool United’s full 2021-22 fixture list is as follows:

Sat Aug 7 Crawley Town H

Wed Aug 11 Carabao Cup One

Sat Aug 14 Barrow A

Tue Aug 17 Sutton United A

Sat Aug 21 Walsall H

Sat Aug 28 Carlisle United H

Sat Sep 4 Tranmere Rovers A

Sat Sep 11 Bristol Rovers H

Sat Sep 18 Oldham Athletic A

Sat Sep 25 Exeter City H

Sat Oct 2 Stevenage A

Sat Oct 9 Northampton Town H

Sat Oct 16 Salford City A

Tue Oct 19 Bradford City A

Sat Oct 23 Harrogate Town H

Sat Oct 30 Leyton Orient A

Sat Nov 6 Emirates FA Cup 1

Sat Nov 13 Newport County H

Sat Nov 20 Forest Green Rovers H

Tue Nov 23 Swindon Town A

Sat Nov 27 Port Vale A

Tue Dec 7 Rochdale H

Sat Dec 11 Scunthorpe United H

Sat Dec 18 Colchester United A

Sun Dec 26 Mansfield Town A

Wed Dec 29 Tranmere Rovers H

Sat Jan 1 Oldham Athletic H

Sat Jan 8 Carlisle United A

Sat Jan 15 Bristol Rovers A

Sat Jan 22 Stevenage H

Sat Jan 29 Exeter City A

Sat Feb 5 Mansfield Town H

Tue Feb 8 Barrow H

Sat Feb 12 Crawley Town A

Sat Feb 19 Sutton United H

Sat Feb 26 Walsall A

Sat Mar 5 Harrogate Town A

Sat Mar 12 Leyton Orient H

Tue Mar 15 Bradford City H

Sat Mar 19 Newport County A

Sat Mar 26 Northampton Town A

Sat Apr 2 Salford City H

Sat Apr 9 Forest Green Rovers A

Fri Apr 15 Port Vale H

Mon Apr 18 Rochdale A

Sat Apr 23 Swindon Town H

Sat Apr 30 Scunthorpe United A

Sat May 7 Colchester United H

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