Southend United v Hartlepool Match Information

November 14, 2014 by Alec Hitchman

The Monkey Hangers Come To Town

Southend United V Hartlepool United

Bottom side Hartlepool visit Roots Hall tomorrow, having only won four league games since March. Three of those wins have come this season. Southend United go into the game on the back of their defeat against Chester in the FA Cup last week, whilst Hartlepool go into the game on the back of a win against East Thurrock United, also in the FA Cup 1st Round last week.
These two sides have met a total of 46 times since our first meeting back in England’s World Cup winning year of 1966, when Blues beat Hartlepool 2-0. Our most recent meeting ended in a 1-1 draw at Roots Hall in February this year. Barry Corr opened the scoring for Blues in the 43rd minute before Brad Walker equalised for Hartlepool from the edge of the box in the 53rd minute.
Hartlepool have a few famous fans, including Sky Sports Gillette Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling and American musician Meatloaf.

So, Who are Hartlepool United?

Full Name: Hartlepool United Football Club
Founded:1908
Nickname:The Monkey Hangers, Pools
Ground:Victoria Park (7,856 Capacity)
Manager:Paul Murray
2013-14 Season:League Two – 19th

Most Recent Line-Ups

Hartlepool United:Flinders, Duckworth, Collins, Jones, Austin, Richards, Featherstone, Walker, Franks, Harewood, Schmelz (Woods 73’)
Southend United:Bentley, White, Sokolik, Prosser, Binnom-Williams, Worrall (Hurst 60’), Leonard, Deegan (Coulthirst 60’), Timlin, Corr (Payne 71’), Weston

Last Time We Met – Southend United 1-1 Hartlepool United – 18/02/2014

Hartlepool United: Flinders, Collins, Holden, Burgess, Walton, Monkhouse (Compton 86’), Richards, James, Walker, Harewood, Williams
Southend United Bentley, White, Phillips, Straker (Eastwood 72’), Leonard, Thompson, Coker, Timlin, Atkinson, Hurst, Corr

Hartlepool’s Last 5 Results

East Thurrock United (H) – W 2-0 – FA Cup
Newport County (H) – D 2-2
Cambridge United (A) – L 2-1
Accrington Stanley (A) – L 3-1
Luton Town (H) – L 1-2

What Could Happen?

A win for Southend could take them up one place to 6th, if Plymouth Argyle lose. A draw would keep Blues in the play-offs, but only if Newport fail to win.
A win for Hartlepool would put them on 15 points, level with Carlisle United. But in order to get out of the relegation zone, Hartlepool will need to beat Blues by more than 5 goals and hope Carlisle concede 5 or more goals. A draw would take them up one place to 23rd (Second Bottom), if Tranmere lose.
All fixtures are at the bottom of this preview.

For the Hartlepool Fans – A Quick Guide

Distance to Travel (Based on the distance between both team’s grounds)

275 Miles (4 Hours, 19 Minutes)

Where Can I Drink?

There is a bar in the ground known as the Shrimpers Bar. Although this is mainly for home fans, away supporters do have access. Other than this, there is the Blue Boar pub on Victoria Road, which, on match days, only admits away supporters. It is about a two minute walk from the ground (heading towards the town centre). You will have to walk past The Spread Eagle in order to get to the Blue Boar, but "The Spread" is only open to home fans on match days.

Where Can I Park?

There is plenty of street parking within walking distance of the ground, based in the many back streets behind and to the right of the away stand, otherwise, there is a car park at Southend High School For Boys, which charges £5 for match day parking.

Staying Overnight?

There are plenty of hotels and B&B’s in Southend. One of which is the airport hotel, approximately a 5 minute drive, or a 30 minute walk from Roots Hall. On the other hand, there are a number of B&B’s along the seafront, just like Morecambe! The seafront is roughly 25 minutes by foot from Roots Hall.

Where can I Eat?

There is a chip shop opposite the Blue Boar pub, called The Fish House. Other than this, there are the usual fast food restaurants in Southend high street. There is also the Chinese buffet, known as "East", which is located near the Royals Shopping Centre, in the high street. Locals will be happy to guide you should you need help.

Attractions

If you have planned to make a weekend of your visit, there are many attractions in Southend. One of which is Adventure Island, an amusement park on the seafront at the end of the town centre. Just along from that, there is a Sea-Life Centre, along with ten-pin bowling at the Kursaal.

Programme Price

£3.00 – Will probably be reduced to £2.00 or £1.50, this is a cup match after all!

Postcode (for SatNav users):

SS2 6NQ

My Predicted Southend Line-Up:

Bentley, White, Prosser, Thompson, Leonard, Hurst, Deegan, Payne, Atkinson, Clifford, Corr

Quick News

Blues are without Yeovil loanee Jakub Sokolik & Crystal Palace loanee Jerome Binnom-Williams. Both defenders have been booked 5 times this season, and so, will serve a one match suspension.

The Opposition View

John Tindale

1. What is your name and how long have you supported Hartlepool United?

John -around 10 years

2. What are your views on Hartlepool's season so far?

Disappointing but nothing we weren't expecting.

3. Ex-Southend loanee Roy O'Donovan played for Hartlepool a few years ago. He also scored a hat-trick against Southend. What do you think of him?

He was fantastic, great finisher, if he's still like that then he's exactly what we need .

4. What do you think of Southend United?

Tough opponents, much better team than us and seem to have their act together after a poor spell. It's probably a bad thing that you were on the receiving end of an upset last week too, I imagine you'll look to get the league form going again.

5. Will you be going to the game? If so, will this be your first visit to Roots Hall?

I won't be going this time

6. Which player should Southend fans look out for?

Michael Duckworth our RB, the fact he's our best offensive player says everything about our season.

7. Who, in your opinion, has been your best player so far?

Michael Duckworth.

8. How would you say Hartlepool have improved from last season?

No, we've won something like 4 games since March, it's been woful since Craig Hignett left (assistant manager left to go back to Middlesbrough). A gradual decline started from then and I fear it see us out of the football league for the first time.

9. You currently have ex-West Ham striker Marlon Harewood. What do you think of him?

He certainly tries, but the fans see him as a comedy character almost. He's not as bad as what the majority make out, but 4 goals in 33 games isn't brilliant.

10. How do you think the game will pan out and what do you think the score will be? What result would you settle for?

I think yous will beat us 2-0. I would settle for a draw as would pretty much every Pools fan!

The Others - Playing Tonight

Cambridge United v Northampton Town - 19:45

Playing Tomorrow

Plymouth Argyle v Portsmouth FC - 12:05
Morecambe FC v Bury FC - 14:30
AFC Wimbledon v Dagenham & Redbridge - 15:00
Carlisle United v Accrington Stanley - 15:00
Luton Town v Tranmere Rovers - 15:00
Shrewsbury Town v Mansfield Town - 15:00
Stevenage FC v Cheltenham Town - 15:00
York City v Oxford United - 15:00

Playing Sunday

Newport County v Exeter City

Playing Monday

Wycombe Wanderers v Burton Albion