Hartlepool United faced Woking in a National League fixture on Saturday 5th September, with manager Lee Clark opting for a 4-4-2 formation. The match pitted Pools, who started the day in 14th place with six points, against a Woking side sitting 21st with four points, as detailed in a BBC Sport report.
This contest offered an early-season chance for Hartlepool to build momentum. The club finished the 2025 campaign strongly in 9th place, amassing 68 points from 46 games with a record of 18 wins, 14 draws, and我们发现14 losses. Their recent form at the end of that season was LWWLD, and they ended with a -5 goal difference after scoring 54 and conceding 59.
What was Hartlepool United's starting lineup?
Lee Clark's selected XI saw Merrick start in goal wearing the number one shirt. The defensive line was marshalled by captain and number four, Hunter, alongside Eccleston (12), Gibson (27), and McNally (6). The midfield quartet consisted of Ilunga (7), Sheron (14), Miley (8), and Nolan (17). Up front, the strike partnership was Harris (10) and Popov (19).
Clark had a range of options on the bench, including Benn (2), Bondo (30), Deeming (42), Fisher (32), Hugill (9), Penman (15), and Thornton (21). This depth will be vital as Hartlepool look to improve on their final 2025 standing, where they finished 40 points behind champions York. You can view the full current squad for the new season.
How did Woking set up for the game?
Opposite number Craig Ross set his Woking team up in a 3-5-2 formation. Their goalkeeper was Jääskeläinen (22), with a back three of Ogie (6), Okoli (4), and Tunji Akinola (16). The wing-backs were Asare (2) and Ward (11), while the central midfield trio featured Syla (8), Turner (26), and captain Forster-Caskey (25). The two strikers were Marquis (32) and Dulson (18).
Woking's substitutes included Tim Akinola (23), Harris (20), O'Brien (10), and Odusina (5). The contrasting tactical approaches made for an intriguing battle in the middle of the park, with Hartlepool's traditional 4-4-2 looking to overcome Woking's five-man midfield.
Where does this result leave Hartlepool in the context?
The outcome of this specific fixture will have provided an early indicator of Hartlepool's progress under Clark. After a solid 9th-place finish last term, the aim will be to bridge the gap to the very top of the standings. That 40-point deficit to York highlights the scale of the challenge in the National League, but also the potential for growth.
Building a consistent run will be key, and the club's schedule is always available on our fixtures page. The final detail from the day was the confirmation of the starting lineups, with Hartlepool's number 10, Harris, leading the line alongside Popov.
