Our Pools writer, Dominic Scurr, has dished out his player ratings – with a look at how the club’s five new signing and trio of triallists fared on their first outing of the new campaign. Scroll down and click through the pages to see who shone and struggled for Craig Hignett’s side in the friendly at Billingham:
13. Harrison Webster - 7
The young full-back played the final half-hour and was never afraid to get forward and attack with pace. He saw plenty of the ball and got into some promising attacking positions. Photo: Anna Gowthorpe
14. Liam Noble - 8
A comfortable evening in the middle of the park. A sign of encouragement will be Noble’s attacking threat and adding goals to his game from open play as he came close before netting a fine low half-volley from the edge of the box to cap off a solid display. Photo: Frank Reid
15. Jason Kennedy - 8
A cool and classy display from the Pools trialist. The former Carlisle United man rarely gave the ball away and recycled possession effectively. Photo: Frank Reid
16. Liam Smith - 7
Pools’ third trialist was deployed as part of a midfield diamond and looked solid throughout, showing good tenacity to force Billingham into mistakes at the back. Photo: Frank Reid