Story of the day: Hartlepool United 2-4 Maidenhead United – 10 men Magpies end Pools' title hopes
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A hat-trick for Alan Massey and another for Danilo Orsi saw the visitors end Pools’ 13 game unbeaten run at Victoria Park as a sublime Rhys Oates solo goal and a late consolation from Danny Elliott weren't enough.
Ryheem Sheckleford was sent off in the first half for Maidenhead but that didn’t stop the visitors securing a comfortable win.
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FULL-TIME: Hartlepool United 2 (Oates 28, Elliott 86) Maidenhead United 4 (Orsi 15, Barratt 38, 47, 55)
Key Events
- Pools XI: Ravas; Sterry, Odusina, Johnson, FergusonShelton, Featherstone, Holohan; Molyneux, Saunders, Oates
- Pools subs: Donaldson, Francis-Angol, Cass, Williams, Elliott.
- Pools bookings: Ferguson (66), Johnson (90)
- Maidenhead XI: Lovett; Massey, Wells, Parry, Sheckleford, Wiltshire, Sparkes, Ince, Compley, Barratt, Orsi
- Maidenhead subs: Egan, Keetch, Coley, Smith, Kelly
- Maidenhead bookings: Wiltshire (3), Comley (18)
- Maidenhead sendings off: Sheckleford (42)
- Referee: Martin Woods
Challinor expecting a ‘tough game’ this afternoon
“It’s probably a team who are a lot more confident than what they were at the start of the season,” Challinor said.
“Going back to that game at Maidenhead, we were 1-0 up at half time with an own goal but weren’t at the races and should have been behind but ended up winning 4-0.
“It was a little bit like Monday when we were poor in the first half but the goal went against us rather than for us. At Maidenhead we took advantage of scoring at the right times by scoring just before and just after half-time.
“From that point on we looked like scoring every time we went forward. Maidenhead lost their first four and looked doomed and I remember speaking to Alan [Devonshire] after the game and they deserved more than what they got that day and what they have done this season is maybe surprised a few.
“They’ve got a group of players who know what their strengths and weaknesses are and they don’t hide behind anything they’re not. They’re a hard working honest group with goalscorers in the team.
“They have all the things that can send you on your way. Of all the teams up near the top or with a play-off opportunity, they’re the ones that have probably overachieved this season because they’ve given themselves a shot.
“They’ve picked up results on their travels at difficult places to go so we’re under no illusions that it will be a really though game.”
Last time the sides met: Maidenhead United 0-4 Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United made it three wins from three with a convincing 4-0 win at Maidenhead United.
An Alan Massey own goal saw Pools lead at the break before second half strikes from Claudio Ofosu, Ryan Johnson and Gavan Holohan saw the visitors claim a convincing win at York Road.
The win took Dave Challinor’s side top of the National League after three matches.
Maidenhead will be looking to avenge that result this afternoon.
How will Pools line-up today? Some potential selection dilemmas - team news in an hour.
With several players doubts ahead of the fixture, Dave Challinor will have some decisions to make when he announces today’s team at 2pm.
Last time out: Bromley 1-0 Pools
Hartlepool United’s title hopes took a huge blow as they were beaten 1-0 at Bromley on bank holiday Monday.
Jude Arthurs’ first half header was enough to secure victory for The Ravens and condemn Pools to their first defeat in 17 matches.
Gary Liddle was dismissed late on for Pools following a second yellow card as the defender suffered his first defeat of the season.