📝 Match Preview: Hartlepool United (A)

City make the long trek north to face the League Two newcomers

24 September 2021

Exeter City make their second longest journey of the season on Saturday as they face League Two newcomers Hartlepool United at Victoria Park.

The Teesside outfit were promoted from the National League last season after a penalty shoot out victory over Torquay in the play-off final at Ashton Gate in June, and have enjoyed a decent start to life back in the Football League.

The Monkey Hangers, as they are nicknamed after a local legendary tale, are the only remaining side in League Two with a 100% home record, conceding only once at Victoria Park, and go into the game on the back of a 0-0 draw at Oldham Athletic last weekend.

The Grecians are in good form themselves, with seven points from three games in September so far, scoring six times and are yet to concede following last weekend's 2-0 victory over Sutton United at SJP.

Matt Taylor's Thoughts

Matt Taylor has praised "key actions at key times" from his players so far this season, but has warned the threat Hartlepool can possess, ahead of this weekend's game.

"We need to go there and affect the game in a positive way. We know we have to ride our luck at times.

"So far we've shown a will and a stubborness in defence but we need a bit of everything this weekend to win the game"

On the opposition: "We've got to understand what the atmosphere will feel like when we kick off and quieten down the expectations.

"They've got a good defensive record, you've got to rely on your home form and that's what Hartlepool have done."

Hear more 👇

Hartlepool United's Last Match

Oldham Athletic 0 Hartlepool United | 18/09/21 | Sky Bet League Two

Dave Challinor's side picked up their first away point of the season as they held the Latics to a goalless draw at Boundary Park.

The Ground

Name: Victoria Park
Capacity: 7,865
Year opened: 1886
Record Attendance: 17,426 (vs Manchester United, FA Cup 3^rd Round, 1957)
Address: Clarence Road, Hartlepool, TS24 8BZ

Originally home to West Hartlepool RFC, Victoria Park was renamed upon Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee before Hartlepools United sought tenancy in 1908.

During the First World War the ground was destroyed by a German Zepellin and the main stand was demolished. In 1957 over 17,000 fans crammed into the Stadium to see Matt Busby’s Manchester United run out 4-3 winners in a thriller. This was regarded by Busby as the most exciting game he’s ever witnessed

The England women's national football team beat Sweden 4–0 in an August 2014 friendly at Victoria Park. It was the female England team's first game in the North East since a 1–1 draw with Italy at Roker Park, Sunderland in November 1995. Several of the English players came from the North East, including Jordan Nobbs whose father Keith had played 327 times for Hartlepool United.

City fans will be housed in the Simpson Millar Stand (or the Rink End), behind one of the goals. The stand has a capacity of just over 1,000 seated.

Tickets and Travel

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults: £20
Seniors (65+): £14
Students: £14
Armed Forces: £14
Under-19s: £14
Under-16s: £5
Under-5s: £0

Please note that ID is required for concession pricing.

Ambulant disabled are charged the relevant age category with a free carer given where person is on High Rate DLA for care or mobility. Please contact Hartlepool direct on 01429 272 584 to purchase.

Tickets will be available on the day from the ground.

Grecian Travel

Grecian Travel, run by the Supporters' Club is available for City's trip to Hartlepool United.

The coach will depart from Unit 1 nightclub at 6am for a fare of £48 for adults and £43 for under-16s

Other pick-up points include: Honiton Road park and ride (by Miller and Carter Steakhouse), junction 28 (Cullompton services). Junction 27 (Tiverton), junction 25 (Taunton.) All other pick-ups by prior arrangement.

PLEASE NOTE: Face coverings are required to travel on Grecian Travel. This does not apply if you are exempt.

How to buy

Currently Grecian Travel can only be booked directly.

For more information or to book please contact John Bishop on 07904036334 or by email at: john.bishop760@btinternet.com (after 6pm).

How To Follow

Can't make the game? Why not get the next best thing and listen LIVE on iFollow! (Overseas views can watch the match for £10 or local currency equivalent)

By purchasing a match pass at the cost of just £2.50 in the UK you'll get access to the audio stream which includes the live BBC Radio Devon commentary.

The match pass revenue goes directly to the club, so you will be showing your support from home!

To purchase a match pass please click here.

For further details on iFollow, please click here
For a first time guide to iFollow, please click here

Exeter City on social media

Previous Encounter

Then non-league Hartlepool were the victors in our last meeting, as they ran out 1-0 winners in this FA Cup second round replay. Jack Sparkes was sent off for a second yellow as Josh Hawkes struck the winner at Victoria Park.

Match Reports

📝 Match Report: Hartlepool United 1 Exeter City 1

Our write-up of Saturday's

25 September 2021

Sam Nombe’s header earned Exeter City a hard-fought draw at the hands of Hartlepool United.

Nombe’s second goal in as many games cancelled out Luke Molyneux’s early strike as the Grecians ended Pools’ 100% home record and in turn extended their own unbeaten run to seven.

Molyneux cut inside and curled home after 25 minutes as Pools dominated much of the possession. Five minutes before the break, Nombe restored parity with a deft flick at the far post, to please the 187 travelling supporters.

Jake Caprice came within whiskers of scoring his first goal of the campaign, firing just wide in the second half, but neither side could really find an opening to take home all three points.

Matt Taylor made one solitary change from last week’s win over Sutton. Kyle Taylor earned his first start for City as Harry Kite took his place on the bench.

Within two minutes Jevani Brown was able to meet a Josh Key cross but was unable to threaten Ben Killip in the Pools goal.

Buoyed on by the very vocal home crowd Hartlepool had the better of the opening stages.

Mark Shelton flicked on a corner at the near post on eight minutes. On Nine, Jamie Sterry almost fluked Pools ahead when his deflected cross landed on the roof of the net.

From the resulting corner Neil Byrne headed into Cam Dawson’s grasp as pressure mounted on the Grecians.

And on 25 minutes Pools found the breakthrough. Luke Molyneux received the ball on the half turn. From the edge of the box, he shifted onto his left foot and found the bottom corner.

Hpool Molyneux.jpg

The goal seemingly sharpened up City though and Sam Nombe had Exeter’s first real sight of goal on the half hour mark. Matt Jay and Jevani Brown exchanged intricate passes on the edge. The latter threaded Nombe through one-on-one but the number 10 could only fire over.

City grew in confidence. Jake Caprice whipped a lovely ball to the far post which was scooped away for a corner. Resultantly, Pierce Sweeney threw a leg at the half-cleared set piece but saw it nestle tamely into the side netting.

City’s patience told and the visitors were level five minutes before the break!

Jay and Brown again dictated the tempo around the Pools box. Looking for a way through, Caprice peeled off and delivered a peach of a ball onto Nombe’s head for his second goal in as many games! His faint flicked finish forced a frenzy from the frantic City faithful.

Hpool Nombe.jpg

After the interval Brown managed to get a shot of his own at goal, though his left footed curler was comfortable for Killip. Josh Key also went for goal in the same vein only to see his effort sail wide.

City almost found a way through as Caprice found himself with space in the Pools box. His pull back was just behind Matt Jay and the chance was blown. The manager turned to his bench and Archie Collins was welcomed back for his first minutes of the season.

Pools were mightily close to restoring their lead on the hour. Molyneux broke free on the right-hand side and sent in a low ball across the face of goal. All Mike Fondop needed was a touch but fortunately for City, none was coming.

Sweeney had to be on hand to stop another dangerous ball in from Sterry, as momentum started to shift in Pools’ favour. Matt Daly soon tested Dawson from range.

HPool Sweeney.jpg h

Caprice was finding some joy down the left again. After Nigel Atangana sprayed the ball wide, in true Cap style, the wing-back stepped over cut inside and skimmed the far post with his shot.

Neither side could muster a dramatic late winner and the Grecians left Teesside with a valuable point. Walsall travel to Devon next week as City look to continue this unbeaten run.

Hartlepool United: Killup, Sterry, Hendrie, Byrne, Francis-Angol, Jones (Ogle 88), Featherstone©, Shelton, Daly, Molyneux, Fondop

Subs: Mitchell, Odusina, Smith, Goodwin, Cook, Cullen

Exeter City: Dawson, Caprice, Hartridge, Ray, Sweeney, Key (Edwards 84’), Dieng (Atangana 69’), Taylor (Collins 55’), Jay ©, Nombe, Brown

Subs: Lee, Daniel, Kite, Amond

Referee: Leigh Doughty

Attendance: 5,194 (187 away)

Ticket News

🎟 Tickets and Travel: Hartlepool United

All you need to know about tickets and travel

20 September 2021

Tickets for our trip to Hartlepool United on Saturday, September 25 are now available to purchase from your online account and via the club shop.