Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Hartlepool and Harrogate face each other at Victoria Park in their first game of 2023. Following back-to-back wins over Crawley Town and Rochdale, the Pools suffered a 2-1 loss to Mansfield in midweek to stay in the danger zone. The hosts are eager to give fans something to cheer about, but this game will be anything but a walk in the park for Keith Curle’s troops. Jack Hamilton should keep his place up front after finding the net in the last league match, while there are no fresh selection worries in the home team.
Meanwhile, the Sulphurites failed to extend their winning run to four games, with the team losing to Bradford City on the road. Harrogate are eager to return to winning ways, and seeing that they will go for a victory as well, both teams to score betting option should be considered. Josh Falkingham limped off with injury against the Bantams, with fellow midfielder Alexander Pattison likely to step up.
Highlighted Player (Mark Oxley):
Born in Sheffield, England, on the 2nd of June, 1990, Oxley's football journey started as a Rotherham youth product. The English International signed his first professional contract with the Millers in 2007 but failed to make a single appearance for the club during that season.
The following season, he signed for Hull City, who, in turn, sent him out on successive loans to clubs like Walsall, Grimbsy Town, Oldham Athletic, and Hibernian. The 6ft 3-inch goalkeeper's professional debut meanwhile, came on the 27th of February, 2010, playing for Grimbsy in a 2-0 away loss to Dagenham in League Two. Oxley's performance during his six-month loan period with Hibernian earned him a permanent deal. He signed a two-year contract starting with the club in July 2015. In his time at the Scottish outfit, he made 90 appearances and kept 35 clean sheets. Oxley then joined his current club Southend in July 2016 on an initial two-year deal.
He had a fantastic first season, winning both fans' player of the year and players' player of the year awards. As of August 2018, Oxley has signed a contract extension and also got given the captain's armband. On the International forefront, the 29-year-old is a former youth International having capped once for England at the under-18 level.
Highlighted Team (Harrogate):
Harrogate Town is an English club that welcomes their rivals at Wetherby Road. Opened on August 28, 1920, the venue can hold up to 5,000 spectators (500 seated). The club was founded back in 1914, with the Sulphurties facing Horsforth in their first competitive match on August 30, 1919.
Harrogate Town footballers wear yellow and black shirts when playing at home, while pink is the dominant colour of their away jersey. The Sulphurties did well to win the Whitworth Cup in the 1919/20 season, while the club’s biggest success in the FA Cup came in the 2012/13 when they made it to the second round.
Simon Weaver is one of the most notable footballers who played for Harrogate Town in the past. The team’s manager for the 2020/21 season played for several English clubs, and he has been very successful in the coaching job as well.