Next Up: Hartlepool United Away

Well, that’s a relief isn’t it! Only the more optimistic of supporters thought City would guarantee safety with a comprehensive 2-0 victory over a side unbeaten in their last 28 games, but Woodman’s thunderbolt and a goalscoring return for forgotten man Jimmy Keohane, coupled with Fleetwood’s draw, meant all four sides of the Park were celebrating last Saturday. It’s therefore in relaxed mood that City and their supporters head to the other end of the country for the final fixture of the season. Meaningless last day games present something of a lottery in terms of guessing team selection – last season saw Scot Bennett’s first foray up front, while who could forget Hillsborough in 2011 and the late appearance of a certain Paul Tisdale? There have been hints that City’s side will have an even more youthful feel to it than we’ve seen in recent months and may give a hint as to who will be donning the red ‘n’ white next season with further budget restraints hinted at.

Hartlepool’s first season back in the basement hasn’t exactly gone according to plan, and defeat on Saturday would ensure Pools finish behind City in the League Two table. Former Middlesbrough defender Colin Cooper is the man in charge, and he has overseen a season that started dreadfully, got a lot better but threatened to end badly too before a win against Morecambe on Easter Monday guaranteed their survival and ended a run of six straight defeats. One name to look out for is Jack Barmby. Jack, the son of Nick, has scored in his last two games to take his tally to five since arriving on loan from Manchester United. Top scorer is Luke James with 16 in all competitions, while Marlon Harewood has plenty of top flight experience to call upon.

City’s recent record against Hartlepool is nothing to write home about, with a solitary win up in the North East since returning to the Football League, in 2010/11. The last time City made the trip was in the 2011/12 relegation season, coming away with nothing after a 2-0 defeat. City would have expected to win the return this season back in October, Hartlepool at the time only having recorded one win all season, but the form table was turned on its head with Pools winning 3-0 (Baldwin, James and Compton). Overall, however, it is City with the head-to-head lead, with 31 victories to Hartlepool’s 22 (22 draws) in the Football League.

Match Officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2014/04/29/match-officials-hartlepool-united-away/

Ground Guide: http://www.exeweb.com/2014/03/31/the-things-you-need-to-know-victoria-park-hartlepool/