The final few hurdles in Hartlepool’s promotion push

In one of the biggest weekends in the Pools’ promotion push the side must kickstart the weekend with another three points at Victoria Park.

There are just six games left in the season for Hartlepool and the side are so close to reaching their targets for this season. Dave Challinor’s side this season has been nothing short of incredible and have been simply superb to watch, especially at their home ground Victoria Park.

The most vital for a promotion candidate is sublime form home or away. Hartlepool have been absolutely incredible at home all season, whilst still performing incredibly away from TS24.

Credit has to go to Challinor for this, his recruitment and tactics have been second to none all season and consistently have shown why he is amongst the top managers in the division but also why his side deserve to be where they are.

A key signing, Richie Bennett, when Prost International’s Ben Dixon spoke to the Pools’ manager last he in detail spoke about the thought process behind Bennett and knew he would have a massive impact upon his side.

“Yeah absolutely (his ability to play in a two was key to his signing), he knows the league, he knows the level, he knows what we’re about, I think if you look in terms a lot of our play with how we’re set up at the moment, with Fergy’s delivery and with Jamie’s, getting balls in the box, we do put balls in the box”

He set up his side to continue to do this, with Bennett and the Pools reaping the rewards, five goals, four games, including a hat-trick against Wealdstone in his final game for the side before being recalled to fellow play-off candidates Stockport County.

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His impact clearly felt amongst the fan base with many replying to the announcement of his recalling, that he returns next season. If the side goes up, Bennett could well return.

That then leaves the question as to who replaces the target man, the main candidate, Luke Armstrong.

Armstrong has had a strong season and is Hartlepool’s top goalscorer alongside Rhys Oates, he also plays a similar role to Bennett and seemed to lose his place with the introduction of the loanee, but with that place now his for the taking and the race for the side’s golden boot, Armstrong should be a man with a mission.

Another player that could be introduced to the side is Harvey Saunders, the forward joined on loan from Fleetwood Town on deadline day and will be looking to make an instant impact on his return to the North East. Saunders, a local lad, has played in the past for Darlington and Durham City.

The pacey forward has played in League One this season with 21 games under his belt scoring three and assisting once in his time with the Cod Army. Challinor spoke about the signing:

“I am delighted Harvey is with us until end of the season. We have tracked him for a while but just hadn’t been able to get it done due to Fleetwood’s league situation. He is a local lad, knows the area. It is another goal threat for us and I know he is excited to get started.”

Just showing Challinor’s extensive research and pursuit of the player and his faith that the youngster could potentially create an immediate impact within the side as early as this weekend.

With the chance to extend the unbeaten run to 16 and all but confirm the Pools’ place within the play-offs, Challinor will be desperate for another three points at the Vic.

However, Chesterfield are also desperate for the points themselves, with them sitting sixth, a point and a place inside the play-offs they must get three points to boost their hopes of play-off football at the end of a good campaign.

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