Hartlepool lose 4–3 at Boreham Wood after leading 3–2

Sunday 1 November 2026 · By Alan Featherstone

Hartlepool United lost 4–3 at Boreham Wood on Saturday after leading 3–2, conceding twice in the closing minutes against the league leaders. They are 21st in the Enterprise National League on 15 points, the first club in the relegation places.

Boreham Wood led 2–0 at half-time through a Cashman penalty in the 20th minute and White in first-half stoppage time. Hartlepool then scored three in 12 minutes after the break, through Kouogun in the 47th minute, Deeming in the 52nd and Miley in the 59th. Brunt equalised for Wood in the 87th minute and substitute Matt Rush scored the winner at 90+2. The order of the goals was 1–0, 2–0, 2–1, 2–2, 2–3, 3–3, 4–3. The attendance was 1,268, according to the BBC and Boreham Wood.

The Hartlepool Mail described the penalty as “debatable”. That is the Mail’s word, not the referee’s or either club’s.

It was Hartlepool’s second league defeat in a row, after a 3–1 loss at Fylde on Tuesday 27 October. The form guide reads L L W W L L. They have won five league games and lost 11 of their 16, and they have not drawn a league game this season.

The table shows Hartlepool 21st on 15 points, which is two behind 20th-placed Tamworth, who have played 15 games, and two above 22nd-placed Solihull Moors, who have 13. Hartlepool have scored 18 goals and conceded 27, a goal difference of −9. They are 13 points behind seventh-placed Altrincham, who have 28, and 29 behind leaders Boreham Wood. Only the leaders are promoted automatically, the clubs from second to seventh go into the play-offs, and the clubs from 21st to 24th go down. The bottom four are Hartlepool, Solihull, Scunthorpe United and Gateshead.

Hartlepool have no FA Cup first-round tie on 7 November, and there is no league game that day. The league resumes at home to Wealdstone on Saturday 14 November at 3pm. Wealdstone are 18th and three points above Hartlepool, so it is a chance to close the gap. Hartlepool then visit Gateshead on Saturday 21 November at 3pm, host Solihull Moors on Wednesday 25 November at 7.45pm and host Southend United on Saturday 28 November at 5.30pm.

Head coach Pete Wild’s reaction to the defeat was not available at the time of writing, so this account relies on the BBC, the club reports and the Hartlepool Mail.

Hartlepool scored three goals in 12 minutes after the break, and the result will feel harsh. The next three league games are against Wealdstone, Gateshead and Solihull Moors, who are 18th, 24th and 22nd.

Victoria Park

Approximate layout. Away fans sit behind the north goal; the home terrace is behind the south goal.

Victoria Park — also known as the Prestige Group Stadium — has been home to Hartlepool United since 1908. It sits on Clarence Road (TS24 8BZ), a short walk from the town centre and about ten minutes from Hartlepool station. Capacity is just under 8,000. It is a compact, traditional ground with four distinct sides, four floodlight pylons, and a North Sea wind that finds you even in August. Wrap up.

Visiting supporters are housed in the Hartlepool Cable Services Stand, still widely called the Rink End, behind the north goal. It is all-seated. Typical allocations run around 760, with a stand capacity a little over 1,000. There is no away terrace. Facilities inside include catering and a bar; payment is card or contactless. A few supporting pillars can spoil the view in places, so if you have a choice of seat, avoid sitting dead behind a post. Acoustics are decent and a modest following can still make a noise.

Turnstiles for the away end are on Clarence Road, next to the club offices, ticket office and Pools Retail Store (turnstiles 1 and 2). They usually open 90 minutes before kick-off. There is space for seven wheelchair users plus carers in the away stand; wheelchair entry is via the west side car park by the Neale Cooper Stand. Buy in advance if you can. Recent advertised prices have been around £22 for adults and £16 for concessions (over-65s, students, armed forces, 18–21s), with under-18s and under-14s cheaper and under-5s free with a paying adult. Matchday prices often rise by a couple of pounds. Check the club site before you travel, as figures change.

Opposite you, behind the south goal, is the Town End: a covered home terrace and usually the loudest part of the ground. Along the east touchline, facing Clarence Road, is the modern all-seated Cyril Knowles Stand — family enclosure, directors’ box, executive boxes and the players’ tunnel. Along the west side is the Neale Cooper Stand (Acland Homes), a two-tier structure from 1968 with seating above and an open paddock terrace in front. It does not run the full length of the pitch. That west stand is also where you will hear the home drum on busy afternoons.

Parking at the ground is limited and should be booked with the club if you need it. Street parking nearby is tight and often residents-only. Pay-and-display at the transport interchange or Middleton Grange is a safer bet and still a short walk. By train, leave the station onto Church Street, turn right, and follow the floodlights onto Clarence Road.

Hartlepool is easy for a pint. The Rat Race, inside the station building, is the obvious first stop for ale. Closer to the ground, the Corner Flag supporters’ bar (small entry charge) and the Centenary Bar on Clarence Road have a reputation for welcoming away colours, though that can tighten for bigger fixtures. The Mill House, across the car park, is more of a home haunt. Inside the Rink End you will find hot food, including the club’s much-advertised foot-long hotdogs. Bring a coat, buy your ticket early, and you will have a straightforward, old-fashioned afternoon on the coast.