AHEAD OF THE GAME: Hartlepool United (H)

Woking vs Hartlepool United 

Enterprise National League 

Saturday 10th January 

15:00 Kick-Off

 

After suffering a postponement at the hands of the weather last weekend, the rescheduled fixture against Hartlepool United takes to the Laithwaite Community Stadium on Saturday.

After ending 2025 with a defeat to Braintree Town, the Cards will look to bounce back not only to start the year with a win but also to deny Hartlepool the league double over the Surrey side. Indeed, back in August, the reverse fixture ended in a 3-0 loss for the Cards, with goals from Jermaine Francis, Cameron John, and Alex Reid inflicting defeat at the Prestige Group Stadium.

Opposition Watch

A lengthy drive awaits the opposition upon their return to the Laithwaite Community Stadium, with the straight-line distance already over 235 miles from stadium to stadium, and the road journey considerably longer.

Currently occupying the 9th place spot, the Pools sit five points ahead of Neal Ardley’s side, and just four points behind Southend United, who, at present, fill the final play-off spot. Last time out, a 2-1 win away from home saw them inflict high-flying Rochdale’s fourth loss of the season, a victory which they will hope will give them confidence heading into their first fixture of 2026.

A mixed away record in the league this season has seen them on opposition turf 12 times, leaving them victorious on five visits, with four more points coming from draws, and three ending in defeat.

After a recent takeover, the clash will be Hartlepool’s first fixture under new ownership.

Around the Ground

Ticket information is available via the link here.

One to Watch

With plenty of names finding the net so far this season, the goalscoring responsibility has certainly been shared for the Pools. Despite this, Alex Reid leads the pack with his five league goals, scoring three in the opening four games of the campaign.

Woking will already be aware of the threat he poses, with his early second-half goal in the reverse fixture placing a comeback out of reach for the Cards.