New face for Hartlepool United at Berwick Friendly

By Albatross
July 29 2003

Hartlepool United travel to the borders tonight to take on Berwick Rangers with a squad that includes a few more "names" from Saturday. One player missing is Mark Tinkler, who has a slight injury; and there's yet another on trial player about to pull on the white and blue.

The person who will be taking some part in the game is Matt O'Halloran. The 20 year old was released by Derby at the end of the season, and is on trial at Pools after failing to win a deal with Grimsby - despite having impressed for them in a pre-season friendly. He's been the subject of a couple of interviews with the PFA's www.givemefootball.com website, and from these it seems like he was disappointed to have been released, and wants to be playing first team football. He never made the first team at Pride Park, having to go on loan to Burton Albion last season to make his five appearances (one goal).

Reading the reports from his time at Burton suggests that he's at his best when going forward, and he's played out wide and in the centre of midfield. Information is a little sketchy, but it looks like he favours his left foot - whether his right is just for standing on or not I couldn't find out.

He's also quite a well educated footballer; he studied at Repton School and got A-Levels before clinching a deal at Derby.

The squad from the game includes both Richard Hope and Paul Robinson, but none of the three trialists from Saturday's game are listed; if they fail to appear against Billingham Town tomorrow it may be that we never hear from them again. Having trained with the squad for as long as they have, it's looking more and more likely that both will sign.

Tinkler may be absent, but with both Williams, Gabbiadini and Humphreys amongst others making the trip it should be a fairly strong outfit on the park tonight; however there are enough players missing to make sure that a side of similar stength should also be on view tomorrow at Billingham Town. Cooper has also indicated that some of tonights squad may also play a part at Bedford Terrace.

Elswhere, Gordon Watson has, as expected, put pen to paper on a deal with Sheffield Wednesday, who have also snapped up another player Pools were linked with in Robbie Mustoe. Anth Lormor is believed to be waiting for a call.