Hartlepool United suffered a record-defeating loss in the National League Cup, losing 10-0 to Middlesbrough Under-21s. The loss surpasses their previous record of 10-1 defeat to Wrexham in 1962. Hartlepool-born Frankie Coulson scored four of Boro's goals in the competition that pits National League teams against elite academy sides. The National League Cup rules meant Boro boss Kim Hellberg was unable to use today's match as an opportunity to give minutes to some of the older fringe players in his first-team squad. However, Boro's youngsters clearly enjoyed themselves, with Coulson scoring four goals and claiming an assist. Boro's other goalscorers as they dominated from start to finish were Layton Campbell (2), Ezra Tika-Lemba, Daniel James, Lucca Kakai and Lucas Harrison. The only negative from a Boro perspective was an injury that forced summer signing Cayden Cole, son of former West Ham United striker Carlton, to make a premature exit. Pools boss Lee Clark did not take charge of the game, instead handing managerial duties to academy boss Alex Cross. To comply with competition rules, Hartlepool's starting line-up contained four players who played in Saturday's opening-day National League win over Barrow. However, all four of those players were substituted the first time the ball went out of play after kick-off. League standing: 5th in National League, 3 pts, 1W-0D-0L from 1 games, recent form W. Goals this season: 2 scored, 0 conceded (+2 goal difference). Next fixture: vs Harrogate Town (away, 2027-02-16) (1st in the table).