After completing a second league double of the season against Torquay last Saturday, Sutton go in search of another at Gander Green Lane tomorrow as Hartlepool make the long trip south hoping to maintain their place in the play-off hunt. U’s travelled to the Victoria Ground for the first game under Matt Gray’s management in August and came away with a fine 3-1 win (above, Harry Beautyman scores his, and U’s, second), and while the next two months didn’t quite match that start, Sutton’s form since November has been among the best in the league, and U’s go in to the game five points behind their opponents with a game in hand.
Hartlepool are one point outside the play-off zone, and their own recent form has been good, last week’s surprise home defeat to Ebbsfleet their first in six games. However away from home they have found victories hard to come by, and their win at Solihull ten days ago was their first on the road since a 5-1 win at Chesterfield in November.
Sutton will also be boosted by the head to head record between the sides, with Hartlepool still looking for their first win after five meetings – the two at Sutton have both finished level, with Hartlepool coming from 2-0 down to grab a point a year ago. U’s second goal in that game was Gime Toure’s last in Sutton colours, and having switched clubs in the summer he comes to the game as Hartlepool’s leading scorer this season.
Ben Goodliffe should be fit to return to U’s squad after recovering from a foot injury.
Just to underline that segregation WILL be in force tomorrow – Sutton supporters should enter through the Gander Green Lane turnstiles with the Collingwood end reserved for Hartlepool supporters.
