National League 2020-21 season fixtures confirmed: The key dates for Hartlepool United to look out for

Mark Shelton of Hartlepool United celebrates after scoring their second goal during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Aldershot Town at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 8th February 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Pools will start their fourth season in the National League at home to Aldershot Town on Saturday, October 3 and end it back at Victoria Park against Dover Athletic on Saturday, May 29.

The delayed start to the season due to the coronavirus pandemic has made the mammoth 46 game league schedule that be more arduous as it will now take place over 34 weeks opposed to the usual 38.

That has resulted in a dozen initially scheduled midweek trips though that is likely to increase as cancellations and cup competitions come into play.

Supporters will be allowed back in Victoria Park at a reduced capacity during the upcoming season.

Here are the key dates to look out for during the 2020-21 campaign…

Opening day – Saturday, October 3 – Aldershot Town (H)

For the first time since March, Pools will host a competitive match at Victoria Park to kick-off their 2020-21 National League campaign.

Aldershot Town, who Hartlepool did the double over last season, will be their opening day opponents.

It will start a hectic October schedule which will see Dave Challinor’s side play seven league matches with an FA Cup fourth qualifying round match thrown in on October 24 for good measure.

Boxing day – Saturday, December 26 – Halifax Town (H)

It's a Christmas miracle! For the first time in the National League, Hartlepool will be at home on Boxing Day.

Halifax Town will be the visitors as the Shaymen look to improve on their 6th placed finish last time out.

The Boxing Day fixture usually sees side’s matched up with their closest National League rival.

Pools have faced Gateshead and Harrogate Town in the past, neither of which still play in the National League.

Therefore Halifax, located over 100 miles away from Hartlepool, are the side’s festive opponents.

First match of 2021 – Saturday, January 2 – Halifax Town (A)

In another shift compared with previous seasons, no New Year's Day match will be taking place.

Pools’ reverse fixture at Halifax will be played as a normal Saturday kick-off on January 2.

Good Friday – Friday, April 2 – Dagenham & Redbridge (H)

Pools’ will host Dagenham & Redbridge on Good Friday for what will be only their second Bank Holiday fixture of the campaign.

Last time out, a late Mark Kitching strike saw Challinor’s side claim a 1-0 victory over the Daggers at The Vic.

Both of Pools’ previous Good Friday matches in the National League have ended 2-1 in their favour. In 2019, Luke James and Luke Molyneux cancelled out Devante Rodney’s early strike at home to Halifax Town.

In 2018, a Michael Woods’ brace helped Matthew Bates’ side to a 2-1 win at Maidstone.

Due to the early cancellation of the 2019-20 season, Pools weren’t able to play on Good Friday in 2020.

Easter Monday – Monday, April 5 – Boreham Wood (A)

Easter Monday will see Pools travel all the way to Hertfordshire to play Boreham Wood.

Their previous match at Meadow Park ended 1-1 thanks to a Gime Toure strike and Ben Killip penalty save.

Pools previous Easter Monday games in the National League have seen them follow up their Good Friday wins with 1-0 defeats.

On the final away day of the 2018-19 campaign, around 1,200 medieval knight’s witnessed Pools suffer a 1-0 defeat at Barrow.

In 2017-18, the club suffered a home defeat by the same scoreline to relegated Guiseley.

May Day – Monday, May 3 – Bromley (A)

Another National League first for Pools will see the side play their first non-league match on May Day as they travel to Bromley.

Pools never got the chance to play The Ravens at Hayes Lane last season as the campaign was cut short.

The last meeting between the sides came over a year ago as Bromley won 3-2 at Victoria Park back in August 2019.

Final day – Saturday, May 29 – Dover Athletic (H)

Pools will be ending the campaign as they started it, at Victoria Park.

They host a Dover side who they have beaten just once in six attempts in the National League.

Last season’s controversial match at The Vic ended 2-0 in the Whites’ favour.

Hartlepool’s full 2020-21 fixture list…

Sat Oct 3: Aldershot Town H

Tue Oct 6: Chesterfield A

Sat Oct 10: Maidenhead United A

Tue Oct 13: Bromley H

Sat Oct 17: Barnet A

Sat Oct 24: Emirates FA Cup 4Q

Tue Oct 27: Altrincham H

Sat Oct 31: Torquay United H

Sat Nov 7: Emirates FA Cup 1

Sat Nov 14: Eastleigh A

Tue Nov 17: Wrexham H

Sat Nov 21: Yeovil Town A

Sat Nov 28: Stockport County H/Emirates FA Cup 2

Tue Dec 1: Solihull Moors A

Sat Dec 5: Boreham Wood H

Tue Dec 8: King's Lynn Town H

Sat Dec 12: Woking A

Sat Dec 19: Buildbase FA Trophy 3

Sat Dec 26: FC Halifax Town H

Mon Dec 28: Notts County A

Sat Jan 2: FC Halifax Town A

Sat Jan 9: Wealdstone H/Emirates FA Cup 3

Sat Jan 16: Buildbase FA Trophy 4

Sat Jan 23: Weymouth A/Emirates FA Cup 4

Tue Jan 26: Macclesfield Town H

Sat Jan 30: Sutton United H

Sat Feb 6: Dover Athletic A/Buildbase FA Trophy 5

Tue Feb 9: Solihull Moors H

Sat Feb 13: Dagenham & Redbridge A

Sat Feb 20: Yeovil Town H

Tue Feb 23: Wrexham A

Sat Feb 27: Barnet H/Buildbase FA Trophy Semi-Finals

Sat Mar 6: Torquay United A

Tue Mar 9: Altrincham A

Sat Mar 13: Eastleigh H

Tue Mar 16: King's Lynn Town A

Sat Mar 20: Woking H/Emirates FA Cup 6

Sat Mar 27: Stockport County A

Fri Apr 2: Dagenham & Redbridge H

Mon Apr 5: Boreham Wood A

Sat Apr 10: Notts County H

Tue Apr 13: Macclesfield Town A

Sat Apr 17: Wealdstone A/Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final

Sat Apr 24: Weymouth H

Sat May 1: Chesterfield H

Mon May 3: Bromley A

Sat May 8: Maidenhead United H/Buildbase FA Trophy Final

Sat May 15: Aldershot Town A/Emirates FA Cup Final

Sat May 22: Sutton United A

Sat May 29: Dover Athletic H

*Fixtures are subject to change

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