Story of the day: Gateshead 4-1 Hartlepool United – more pre-season frustration for Pools against National League North opposition
and live on Freeview channel 276
After taking an early lead through a trialist, Pools were pegged back by a brace from Cedwyn Scott that put the hosts 2-1 ahead at the break.
Further goals from Macaulay Langstaff and Grey Olley in the second half saw the Heed emerge as convincing winners in the end.
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Hide AdFor Pools, it was the second consecutive friendly defeat to National League North opposition this week. Next up Blyth Spartans.
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FULL-TIME: Gateshead 4 (Scott 33’, 41’, Langstaff 46’, Olley 64’) Hartlepool United 1 (Trailist 10)
Key Events
- Pools XI: Killip; Ferguson, Ogle, Liddle, Byrne, Sterry; Smith, Featherstone, Holohan; Olufela Olomola, Trialist
- Pools subs: J.MacDonald, Molyneux, Odusina, Francis-Angol, Trialist, Trialist, Close, Trialist, Crawford
- Gateshead XI: Cameron; Tinkler, Forbes, Storey, Trialist, Hunter, Olley, Ward, Langstaff, Campbell, Scott
- Gateshead subs: Pani, Bolton, Wombwell, Thomas, Nelson, Trialist
- Referee: Matthew East
- Attendance: 723
Today’s match is an opportunity for Pools’ players, says Challinor
“They have the opportunity to make sure they’re the ones that are in the team that’s ready [for the opening day],” he said.
“If not then I’m not going to sit here and say it’s a good work out for us, I’ll tell it how it is. What I’ve said to the players, they’re going to get the truth from me and I’m not going to lie to them and pamper them.
“We’re making a step up and if we stand still and don’t move forward, if the players we had last year who did well aren’t up to the step up then tough.
“This isn’t about what people have done in the past, people are judged on what they do every single day and what they do in games.
“Our next game comes on Saturday and people have got questions to answer.”
Dave Challinor wants to see a much improved display from the Spennymoor defeat
“It’s not about who we play against, it’s a process that we knew was going to be of the nature it is and it’s about winning games,” he said.
“I don’t care who they are against, whether we’re against a Premier League team or a team five divisions below us, it makes no difference to me, it’s about winning and doing what is required to win and continually trying to be better.
“No doubt, without question, we can’t get any worse than we were in the first 45, 60 minutes at Spennymoor, we can only get better.”
Early team news for Pools
Jamie Sterry is expected to return after missing Tuesday night’s match at Spennymoor Town.
Mark Cullen is out with a hamstring injury whilst Joe Grey is still returning to full fitness following a back injury picked up last season.
Several trialists are expected to be on show this afternoon, with two weeks to go until the League Two season gets under way.
39th minute applause for Pools fan Mark Teal
People can help Mark’s family during this difficult time by donating to the Go Fund Me page - https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-towards-mark-teals-funeral-expenses
Welcome back to our Pools live blog!
We’re back and we’re ready to do it all over again at Gateshead for this afternoon’s pre-season friendly matchday.
Dave Challinor will be keen to help his side shed the rustiness that was on display at Spennymoor Town on Tuesday night.
Several trialists are expected to feature once again as well as new signing Fela Olomola.
The match will mark the return of supporters to Gateshead International Stadium for the first time since March 2020.
Simply refresh the page and scroll through our live blog to stay up to date.