Hartlepool United v Forest Green Rovers RECAP: Jamie Sterry sent off as Hartlepool lose on home soil to Forest Green Rovers

Hartlepool United host Forest Green Rovers at the Suit Direct Stadium. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Hartlepool United welcome Forest Green Rovers to the Suit Direct Stadium this afternoon looking to bounce back from a rare home defeat last time out against Newport County.

Pools were able to stage an FA Cup upset in midweek when they knocked out League One promotion chasers Wycombe Wanderers to book a second round tie with Lincoln City in a fortnight’s time.

But for Pools, and caretaker manager Antony Sweeney, it is back to League Two duty as they welcome table topping Forest Green this afternoon looking to avoid three straight defeats in the league.

Sweeney may have one or two niggles to contend with following the lengthy midweek trip to Adams Park but will be hopeful on fullback Jamie Sterry after the 25-year-old completed the full 90 minutes against Wycombe.

Elsewhere Pools will be without first team coach Clint Hill this afternoon after the former Queens Park Rangers defender left the club this week to link up with ex-Pools boss Dave Challinor at Stockport County.

Hill had been with Pools for little over a month and said of his departure: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my short time at Hartlepool United working with a great set of lads and staff, and also getting to experience the famous atmosphere at the Vic.

"I wish everybody connected to the club every success this season and for the future.’’

Stay tuned to the Hartlepool Mail this afternoon for all the latest team news and updates throughout Hartlepool’s League Two game with Forest Green Rovers.

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Hartlepool United 1-3 Forest Green Rovers RECAP: Sterry sent off as Pools lose on home soil

Key Events

Pools down to 10: Jamie Sterry is sent off for off the ball incident
Nicky Featherstone scores from the penalty spot to give Pools hope
Mathew Stevens extends Forest Green Rovers’ lead on the stroke of half time
Jamille Matt doubles Forest Green Rovers’ lead with his eighth goal of the season
Jordan Moore-Taylor puts Forest Green Rovers in front
Hartlepool’s fighting champion Savannah Marshall is paraded on the Suit Direct Stadium pitch before the game
Pools XI: Killip; Ferguson, Francis-Angol, Liddle, Byrne, Sterry; Featherstone, Shelton, Daly; Molyneux, Cullen

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 16:14 BST

54 - WIDE

Daly dribbles along the edge of the area and tees up Crawford but his effort is off target.

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 16:11 BST

50

Fairly bright start to the second half from Pools with a number of balls into the box from Ferguson, a Nicky Featherstone corner and a Jamie Sterry throw but still to work McGee in the Forest Green goal

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 16:06 BST

Back underway at the Suit Direct Stadium

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 16:05 BST

DOUBLE SUB

Pools interim manager Sweeney makes a double change at the break with Fela Olomola and Tom Crawford coming on for Mark Shelton and Mark Cullen

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 15:52 BST

HALF TIME

Well, not what you expect from Hartlepool - particularly here at the Suit Direct Stadium. Caretaker Sweeney anticipated some weary legs following the midweek trip to Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup but Pools haven’t really been able to lay a glove on the League Two leaders who have a commanding lead through Moore-Taylor, Matt and Stevens goals. Long way back now.

Join us after the break for second half updates

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 15:48 BST

45 - GOAL

But now it is three. Stevens is able to capitalise on a loose ball in the area from Pools who seemed to be waiting for the whistle for a potential foul on Zaine Francis-Angol but Moore-Taylor touched it into Stevens who was able to turn on the spot and fire in off the post to give Killip no chance.

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 15:46 BST

43 - SAVE

Killip keeps Pools in it to deny Aitchison who had a clear run into the area after Wilson picked him out from the right. Killip does really well to parry and just about does enough to thwart the rebound.

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 15:42 BST

40 - OVER

Cadden curls a freekick over from just outside the area.

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 15:41 BST

39 - CHANCE

Cullen glances a header at goal from Ferguson’s cross from the left but it's comfortable for McGee.

Sat, 20 Nov, 2021, 15:39 BST

37 - Yellow card

Forest Green striker Matthew Stevens goes into the book for simulation