Sutton Head To Hartlepool
- Mark Bravery
- Oct 20, 2017
- 2 min read
For a third consecutive match Sutton United play a side whom they have never met before, when this Saturday (21 October) they make the long trip north to County Durham for a National League encounter with Hartlepool United.
Hartlepool were relegated from the Football League this year, together with Leyton Orient, having been a member since 1921. Under new manager Craig Harrison, previously at serial Welsh champions TNS, Pools made a slow start to life at this level, failing to win any of their first six games. But they have since found their feet, winning six of their subsequent nine league games, and rising to thirteenth in the table. Last Saturday they came from behind to win 2-1 at South Shields, of the Evo-Stik First Division North, in their FA Cup qualifying round match. They have won three and lost three of their seven home games.
Like Hartlepool, Sutton prevailed in the Cup at a club three steps below them. They go into Saturday's match in fourth place with just one defeat in their last seven league games. Apart from long-term absentee Ross Worner, manager Paul Doswell has an almost fully fit squad, although striker Ross Lafayette was rested for last Saturday's victory at Paulton Rovers.
Hartlepool will be missing attacking midfielder Ryan Donaldson because of an ankle injury, while forward Jake Cassidy, midfielder Conor Newton and defender Keith Watson are all injury doubts. However, Harrison is hopeful that skipper Carl Magnay and fellow defender Liam Donnelly will have returned to fitness after being sidelined for the South Shields game.
Sutton are back on the road next Tuesday (24 October), although this time they have a much shorter journey, with Aldershot Town their opponents. Last season Sutton lost this fixture 2-0, the Shots going on to finish fifth before losing to Tranmere in the play-off semi-finals. The Hampshire club started this season strongly, winning their first three games, and topping the table for a fortnight in August then again for a week in September. Their recent form has been less impressive as they have drawn three and lost the other of their last four league games, slipping to eighth place. They did beat league rivals Torquay United in the Cup last weekend, 1-0 at home. In the league they have won three and lost two of their seven home matches.
The Shots, who host Tranmere on Saturday, are without defender Nick Arnold, who has suffered cruciate ligament damage, while winger Bobby-Joe Taylor is out with a knee injury.