Hartlepool United Enter Playoffs with Best Season in 14 Years
05.06.2021
Hartlepool’s blistering form grabs them a fourth-place finish just in time for the Nation League playoffs this season. On Saturday, the Pools host Bromley at Victoria Park and look to make Sutton the only South London club to achieve promotion in 2021. While Bromley also had a decent campaign, including a victory over ten-man Hartlepool in early May, their numbers pale in comparison to the Pools.
Hartlepool scored 14 goals in the last four games, a fantastic record after the club drubbed Wealdstone 7-2 in April. The Pools have a goal or two in them to say the least, accruing a goal difference more than double Bromley’s this season. Their strike of pairing Rhys Oates and Luke Armstrong offer Hartlepool a dangerous edge, scoring 28 goals between them during this National League campaign. Oates kept the momentum up to the last day of the league, scoring in Hartlepool’s 4-0 domination over Weymouth.
Not to discredit Bromley, whose number 9 Michael Cheek has the season’s golden boot with 23 goals so far. Both clubs make a strong case for promotion quality, which they look to prove at Victoria Park this weekend.
The Pools’ veteran manager Dave Challinor spoke pragmatically ahead of the game, stating that ‘if you don’t get promotion and end up in the playoffs then it can be perceived as a bit of a failure, but you still have an opportunity’. Challinor has taken this opportunity multiple times in the past, achieving promotion to the EFL with both AFC Fylde and Colwyn Bay. Whether or not Hartlepool take the opportunity this weekend, their historic season sets a precedent to establish United as a footballing force going forward.
This weekend’s winners face Stockport in the semi-finals, for a chance to join Sutton United in League 2 next season.
