Roots Hall played host to a hard-fought encounter as Southend United and Hartlepool United played out a 1-1 draw. Referee Jason Richardson oversaw the match, which ensured both teams continued their unbeaten start to the National League season.
The game burst into life in the 2nd minute when Tom Parkes inadvertently scored an own goal, handing Southend United an early lead. This setback spurred Hartlepool into action. The first half featured intense midfield battles, with Cavanagh Miley of Southend and Jack Hunter of Hartlepool both receiving cautions for mistimed tackles in the 21st and 27th minutes respectively. Despite Hartlepool’s attempts to gain control, Southend’s defence remained firm, allowing them to take their narrow advantage into half-time. Hartlepool made a double substitution at the interval, introducing Matty Daly and Luke Charman in place of Hunter and Topalloj.
Hartlepool began the second half with renewed energy. Southend responded with a double substitution of their own in the 64th minute, bringing on Sam Austin and Tom Hopper for Charley Kendall and Leon Chambers-Parillon. Hartlepool’s pressure eventually told in the 66th minute when Nathan Sheron, assisted by Maxim Kouogun, equalised. Both sides then made further changes in pursuit of a winning goal. Hartlepool replaced Jermaine Francis with Brad Walker and Tom Parkes, who had earlier scored an own goal, with Sam Folarin. Southend then introduced James Morton for Cavanagh Miley. As the match drew to a close, both teams pressed forward, with Southend bringing on Jack Bridge and Slavi Spasov, and Hartlepool introducing Danny Johnson. Late yellow cards were shown to Hartlepool’s Cameron John and Sam Folarin in the 89th and 90th minutes, respectively, as the tension increased.
Ultimately, neither side could find a decisive goal, and the match ended in a draw. The result means that both Southend and Hartlepool remain well-placed in the league standings. Southend currently sit 5th, with 11 points from 5 games, while Hartlepool are in 4th position, also with 11 points.