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:
17. Josh Hawkes - 7
Was always a threat in a dynamic role but should have scored after being played through by Nicke Kabamba only to be denied by the Billingham goalkeeper Nick Cranston. Photo: Frank Reid
18. Nicke Kabamba - 7
Kabamba didn’t have too many opportunities to test his luck in front of goal but was effective in bringing his teammates into the game in the final third and setting up chances. His neat flick for the third goal was the highlight of a solid, albeit quiet evening for the Hartlepool striker. Photo: Frank Reid