Stockport 0 Hartlepool United 1: Rhys Oates the hero as Pools reach National League play-off final against Torquay United
Pools face Stockport County in the National League play-off semi-final at Edgeley Park.
And Dave Challinor’s side goes into today’s match having got past Bromley in the play-off eliminator round match with a 3-2 win at Victoria Park last Sunday.
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Hide AdBen Killip has returned to training but remains unlikely to feature following a serious elbow injury. Joe Grey (back) is out while Lewis Cass (hamstring) remains a doubt after missing the Bromley game.
Here, we’ll bring you live updates from the match as Pools eye a spot in the final:
Stockport 0 Hartlepool United 1 (Oates, 76): Pools reach National League play-off final
Key Events
- Pools face Stockport County in the National League play-off semi-final at Edgeley Park
- Dave Challinor’s side goes into today’s match having got past Bromley in the play-off eliminator
- Pools: James; Ferguson, Johnson, Liddle, Odusina, Sterry; Featherstone, Shelton, Holohan; Oates, Armstrong
- Killip, Francis-Angol, Donaldson, Molyneux, Elliott
56’ gone here and it remains goalless...remember it will be extra-time and penalties if it is level at FT
A long way still to go here and the second half has seen more chances created at both ends, Shelton had a strong penalty shout after he was tripped inside the area.
Stockport looked to get away with one there, perhaps Shelton went down a little too easily.
Up the other end, James alert to gather at his near post. Evenly poised this game. Still goalless.
HT: All square here at Stockport, neither keeper tested so far
All square at half-time, neither keeper tested so far.
The weather is warm, Pools won’t mind how things are going so far though. Rhys Oates has had a couple of openings late on in the half but neither tested the keeper, the first dragged well wide of the post.
Chance! Oates flashes an effort wide
Chance for Pools!
Oates with a run and drags his effort wide of the right-hand post.
The game has opened up a little in the last 5 minutes or so but still quite tight and cagey.
30’ gone now and it remains goalless
So far, so good for Pools.
This is a very even contest, with little between the two sides at the moment. Clear cut chances have also been few and far between, it is very warm though.
Pools competing well and Armstrong and Oates doing a lot of running. The game is cagey and quite stop-start though.