Hartlepool United’s unblemished pre-season record came to an end in a competitive 1-1 draw against a spirited Middlesbrough XI, played before an impressive crowd of 4,151 on a Wednesday evening. The encounter saw Pools, aiming for a perfect six wins from six, concede their first draw of the summer campaign, highlighting the resilience of their youthful opposition.
Veteran striker Danny Johnson continued his prolific form, extending his pre-season goal tally to four in as many games. Johnson’s clinical finish in the 59th minute initially gave Pools the lead, showcasing his predatory instincts and importance to the squad as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Hartlepool initiated the game with a defensive three, featuring the returning Tom Parkes flanked by Reiss McNally and Cameron John. A trialist goalkeeper, believed to be Archie Mair, was positioned between the posts. The wing-back roles were efficiently filled by the impressive Jay Benn and new recruit Besart Toppaloj, while the midfield engine room was anchored by Nathan Sheron and Jamie Miley, a partnership many fans anticipate will be Simon Grayson’s preferred choice for the season opener.
The first half unfolded as a tightly contested affair with few clear-cut opportunities. Middlesbrough’s youthful side, however, edged the possession and created the more threatening moments. Oliver Samuels, a Hartlepool native, saw his effort deflected over the bar, while Marcus Forss fired wide and Alex Gilbert also went close from distance, demonstrating Boro’s offensive intent. Pools, conversely, struggled to forge significant chances, though an excellent defensive intervention by George McCormick thwarted a promising low cross from Luke Charman.
Following the interval, Hartlepool demonstrated improved cohesion and offensive thrust. Their persistence paid off in the 59th minute when Danny Johnson capitalised on a failure by the Middlesbrough defence to clear Besart Topalloj’s free-kick, smashing home his fourth goal of what has been a highly productive pre-season for the forward.
However, Pools’ advantage proved fleeting as Middlesbrough swiftly found an equalizer. In the 73rd minute, teenage forward Sonny Finch leveled the score, expertly firing an effort into the bottom left-hand corner after some commendable build-up play from Marcus Forss, underlining the potential within the Boro academy ranks.
The match also saw the introduction of new signing Matty Daly, who made a permanent return to Victoria Park after an impactful loan spell. He entered the fray after an hour, joining other key figures like Luke Charman who started, while Alex Reid, a prolific scorer last season, was notably absent from the matchday squad.
This draw marks a significant point in Hartlepool’s pre-season football preparations, providing a valuable test against a dynamic Middlesbrough XI. While their perfect win record is broken, the competitive nature of the game and the performance of key players offer positive takeaways as they fine-tune their squad ahead of the new campaign.
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