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Match Previews

Sutton v Hartlepool preview

13 September 2021

Hartlepool's last visit to Gander Green Lane provided Sutton with one of the most momentous days in the club's history as a 3-0 win (above, Isaac Olaofe scoring the third) saw U's clinch the National League championship and earn a place in the EFL

A month later, Hartlepool won a penalty shoot out against Torquay at Ashton Gate to join U's in the EFL, regaining the place they had lost in 2017, and so the sides meet again as equals at the VBS Community Stadium on Tuesday.

Despite losing strikers Rhys Oates and Luke Armstrong during the summer and having little more than two months to prepare, in terms of results Hartlepool have started the season the better of the two promoted teams, and come in to Tuesday's game in fourth place in the table, with the success based on a home record that has seen them win four out of four at Victoria Park, continuing their impressive home form from last season. Away from home they have yet to pick up a point, losing 3-2 at Barrow and by the only goal at manager Dave Challinor's former club as a player, Tranmere.

Both clubs have strikers on loan from Millwall who are unlikely to play on Tuesday, Hartlepool's Tyler Burey suffering a hamstring injury in that defeat at Tranmere and Isaac Olaofe still to reach full fitness after his move back to Sutton at the end of last month. Hartlepool could also be missing Gavin Holohan, who was the last player to score for them at Sutton in the 1-1 draw in March 2020.

Sutton will look to kick on from Saturday's first EFL win against Stevenage, with manager Matt Gray waiting to see whether Harry Beautyman and Donovan Wilson are fit to return after illness along with Omar Bugiel, while Richie Bennett, who scored both goals on Saturday, faces the club with whom he had a successful loan spell towards the end of last season.

Tickets are on sale for home supporters on line here, and will also be sold on the night from the ticket office, but if you do want to buy a ticket on the night we would urge you to arrive at the ground in plenty of time to avoid queues in the lead up to the 7.45 kick off. Home supporters can use the club bars before and after the game, but not at half time.

As a midweek game Tuesday's match is being live streamed and passes, price £10, can be bought here. There is no match pass available for audio commentary, but supporters who are unable to watch but want to listen can buy a monthly audio pass for £4.49 or a season's pass for £45 which will cover subsequent audio commentaries for the relevant period.


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