Hartlepool United 1 Crawley Town 0: Story of the day as Pools start with a win thanks to Gavan Holohan 89th minute winner
and live on Freeview channel 276
After four years in the National League, Pools are finally back in League Two action following their dramatic play-off promotion earlier this summer.
It’s been a frantic turnaround for Dave Challinor’s side since June 20 with nine new arrivals coming in. A disjointed pre-season is now in the past for Pools as they can look forward to what will hopefully be a positive season back in the EFL.
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Hide AdVictoria Park will be full for the first time since March 2020 for Pools’ return after the coronavirus pandemic caused almost the entirety of the 2020-21 campaign to be played behind closed doors.
Today’s opponents Crawley Town finished 12th in League Two last season but Pools head into the game with a virtually fully-fit squad of players to choose from.
Holohan popped up in the 89th minute with the winner, recap the action below.
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LIVE: Hartlepool United 1 Crawley Town 0
Key Events
- Hartlepool United mark their return to EFL action against Crawley Town at Victoria Park this afternoon.
- It’s been over four years since Pools’ last League Two match.
- Pools doubts: Mark Cullen (hamstring)
- Pools outs: Joe Grey (back), Tom Crawford (illness)
- Pools: Killip, Sterry, Ferguson, Liddle, Odusina, Bryne, Shelton, Featherstone (C), Holohan, Molyneux, Olomola. Pools subs: Mitchell, Smith, Ogle, Daly, Francis-Angol, Cullen.
- Crawley: Morris, Davies, Gallacher, Craig (C), Powell, Nadesan, Frost, Tunnicliffe, Matthews, Payne, Hessenthaler. Crawley subs: Tilley, Francillette, Ferry, Ashford, Khaleel, Nria Noukey, Dallison.
25’ Pressure from Crawley but Pools looking solid at the back so far
Pressure from the away side for the first time really but Pools deal with it well. Comfortable for Liddle & Co.
Pools are on top here, they have had two great chances.
Pools on top! Chance for Holohan
It remains goalless here at The VIc, 20 minutes in, Pools look the bigger threat though.
Sterry and Ferguson with some good deliveries into the box.
Holohan has just fired wide, Bryne couldn’t get on the end of it. Close. Pools on top.
Chance! Ferguson curls wide after 7 minutes
So close. From a corner, Ferguson cut inside and curled an effort wide of the post. Good effort.
Liddle down injured but okay to carry on
Delay then as Liddle gets some treatment from Buster but he is okay and back in his feet now.
Goalless here a few minutes in, Pools in their usual 5-3-2 system with Molyneux off Olomola.
Huge queues at The Vic as we approach KO
Great atmosphere inside The Vic today, Sweet Caroline has already been blasted out.
Now Two Little Boys is getting a good airing ahead of KO, which is 10 minutes away here.
Queues still back to the Mill House here
And the players are out. Here we go.
Rich Mennear here on the live blog today, a rare appearance so bear with me...
We’ll have all the news and match action and analysis from The Vic throughout the afternoon.
Pools are back in the EFL! Turnstiles are open and the crowds are heading in. Weather fine at the moment, showers forecast for later but pitch looking in fine condition.