Hartlepool v Darlington: Match Preview

By Matt Hawkins
August 23 2005

Darlington will make the short journey to Hartlepool tomorrow for their League Cup 1st Round clash against their arch rivals. It has been three seasons since the lower league North-East derby last took place. The last time the teams met, they drew 2-2 at Feethams.

This is it, what we've all been waiting for - the Darlo v Hartlepool derby. Two of the North's fiercest rivals will come head-to-head tomorrow in the League Cup. Darlington have a habit of never making it past the 1st Round in cups, but if there was ever a time to kick that habit, this is it. Unfortunately, Hartlepool will go into this match as favourites - being a division higher and playing on their home turf - but anyone with any experience of derby matches knows that these factors are often irrelevant.

Only two of Darlington's current 1st XI played in our last meeting with the monkey-hangers: Matt Clarke and Ryan Valentine (who was sent off).

There was talk of the match being beamed back to Darlington to be shown on the big screen, but since we have not yet sold our ticket allocation, it appears that this plan has fallen through.

Darlington will be looking to build on their good start to the season in this cup match and will surely be up for the fight. I don't expect any changes from the side that faced Grimsby, as Matty Appleby will be unlikely to re-claim his place in the side after Anthony Peacock's stunning little (!!!) performance on Saturday. David Hodgson has pointed out that he wants to keep the same side (injuries/suspensions permitting) for the first six matches of the season. However, Sam Russell looks set to miss the match through injury, so Frenchman Bert Bossu will take his place.

I would expect the following starting line-up:

GK: Bert Bossu
RB: Shelton Martis
LB: Ryan Valentine
CB: Matt Clarke (c)
CB: Joey Hutchinson
RW: Neil Wainwright
LW: Carlos Logan
CM: Anthony Peacock
CM: Jonjo Dickman
CF: Simon Johnson
CF: Clyde Wijnhard

I will be delighted if we win this match, as whoever comes out victorious will earn the bragging rights until our next encounter, whenever that may be...

DFC Online's Match Prediction:

Hartlepool 2-1 Darlington
Pool Scorers: Boyd, Sweeney
Darlo Scorer: Johnson

Attendance: 6,643