‘Third time unlucky’ – Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor expresses doubts over FC Halifax Town match going ahead with pitch inspection planned

Pools are set to travel to The Shay for this evening’s National League fixture (7pm kick-off), which has already twice been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

But with adverse weather forecast ahead of tonight’s scheduled kick-off, a 1pm pitch inspection has been announced.

Challinor’s side currently sit second in the National League table and will be hoping to play tonight’s match ahead of a hectic February schedule.

But the Pools boss isn’t overly confident of the match going ahead as he said: “Some would say third time lucky but I’m thinking third time unlucky!

"Unfortunately the winter in this country comes whenever it wants, it can come in November it can come at the end of February.

"We’re in a time now where the weather isn’t great, it’s been horrific [in Hartlepool] and our pitch is in brilliant condition considering how things have been. It just shows one bit of dry weather can get the pitch in great shape while on Thursday it was almost underwater.

"The forecast going to Halifax is due to be minus three and snow for Tuesday. Those aren’t great ingredients for football to be played if I’m being honest!

"We’ll prepare as best as we can and if we’re not able to play then focus switches quickly to travelling to Dover on Saturday. But fingers crossed we get the opportunity to play and pick up another three points.”

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