Hartlepool v Barnsley

Reds boss Andy Ritchie has virtually a full strength squad to choose from with only Bobby Hassell missing. Martin Devaney has recovered from the dead leg that forced him off before half-time at Brentford last weekend but faces stiff competition from his replacement that day, Anthony McParland, whilst Paul Heckingbottom returns after missing the Brentford defeat due to family reasons.

Scott Flinders will return to the bench after spending the week at trainig at Premiership Wigan.

If The Reds win today they will be within a point of 2^nd after Brentford went down 2-1 at promotion rivals Swansea last night. The Bees will still have 2 games in hand however.

Probable LineUp:

Nick Colgan

Paul Heckingbottom

Matt Carbon

Paul Reid

Neil Austin

Martin Devaney/Anthony McParland

Stephen McPhail

Brian Howard

Chris Shuker

Paul Hayes

Marc Richards/Tommy Wright

Barnsley have a pretty good record at Victoria Park having won 11 of the 20 encounters and are unbeaten there since 1975 ( a total of 5 games.) Two years ago back on Boxing Day 2003 Barnsley ended Hartlepool's 15 month unbeaten home record. The Pool had been promoted from the Third Division the previous season without losing a single home game and continued that run until The Reds came calling. ( Alas since then the teams have met 4 times home and away and drawn them all)

The teams also met on Boxing Day 2005 this season at Oakwell with the result being a 1-1 draw in front of 9,715. A Marc Richards penalty gave Barnsley the lead in the 20^th minute but Efion Williams grabbed The Pool a point 5 minutes into the second half. Barnsley were 4^th after that game, Hartlepool 13^th.

Last 6 Hartlepool v Barnsley results:

26/12/05 Barnsley 1-1 Hartlepool (League One)

1/1/05 Barnsley 0-0 Hartlepool (League One)

4/9/04 Hartlepool 1-1 Barnsley (League One)

7/2/04 Barnsley 2-2 Hartlepool (Divison Two)

26/12/03 Hartlepool 1-2 Barnsley (Division Two)

24/11/79 Barnsley 5-2 Hartlepool ( FA Cup)

Overall Record:

Barnsley Wins: 26

Hartlepool Wins: 6

Draws: 10

Barnsley Goals: 83

Hartlepool Goals: 48

Last 6 2005/2006 results:

Hartlepool:

14/3/06 Scunthorpe 2-0 Hartlepool (League One)

10/3/06 Hartlepool 3-1 Huddersfield (League One)

25/2/05 Hartlepool 1-1 Doncaster (League One)

14/2/06 Tranmere 0-0 Hartlepool (League One)

10/2/06 Hartlepool 1-0 Chesterfield (League One)

4/2/06 Rotherham 0-0 Hartlepool (League One)

W:2 D:3 L:1 F:5 A:4 GD:+1 Points:9