Hartlepool United welcome Woking to The Prestige Group Stadium in a fixture laden with importance for both clubs. Hartlepool will be eager to prolong their impressive start to the campaign, while Woking are in dire need of halting their descent down the league table.
Hartlepool are currently enjoying a rich vein of form, remaining unbeaten in their last three games. They have translated this resilient defence into attack, managing to score in their last two matches. Woking, conversely, are experiencing a torrid spell, having succumbed to defeat in all three of their opening contests. A concerning pattern has emerged for Woking, as they have lost each match when conceding the opening goal.
The head-to-head record between these two sides indicates a marginal advantage for Woking. They have emerged triumphant on two occasions in their four meetings over the past three seasons, while Hartlepool are yet to register a win, drawing twice. Last season, Woking secured a pulsating 3-2 victory on their own turf, with Matt Ward, Tunji Akinola, and Harry Beautyman all finding the net for the Cards, while Joe Grey struck twice for Hartlepool. The reverse fixture at The Prestige Group Stadium concluded in a 1-1 stalemate, with Luke Charman scoring for Hartlepool and David Ferguson’s own goal securing the equaliser for Woking.
In the league standings, Hartlepool currently occupy 5th position with 7 points, having won two and drawn one of their initial three matches. They have registered four goals and, remarkably, conceded none. Woking find themselves languishing in 23rd place, without a single point to their name. They have managed to score just two goals while conceding seven.
A victory for Hartlepool would consolidate their position near the summit of the table, building momentum and confidence as the season unfolds. A draw would preserve their unbeaten record, but might be perceived as a missed opportunity to gain ground on their rivals. For Woking, a win is vital to ignite their season, boosting morale and lifting them away from the bottom of the table. A draw would at least stem their losing streak, but a defeat would further exacerbate their problems and intensify the pressure on the team.