Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Jack Nolan scored twice in the final 20 minutes as Hartlepool United came from behind to beat Spennymoor Town 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at The Brewery Field.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Hartlepool dominated the opening exchanges but could not find the net. Corey McKeown, another former Moors man, saw a speculative cross-shot turned over by the trialist goalkeeper, who then palmed away Reiss McNally's firm header from the resulting corner. Will Harris dragged a shot wide when well placed, and Brooklyn Ilunga's low drive came back off the upright as Spennymoor lived dangerously.
The deadlock was broken nine minutes into the second half. Danny Johnson, also a former Pools player, slipped a pass in behind for Bennett, who spotted the goalkeeper off his line and executed a perfectly weighted lob from 25 yards into the net.
Hartlepool levelled on 70 minutes. Jack Nolan, signed by Lee Clark's side earlier in the summer, cut inside from the right flank and curled a superb left-footed shot into the far corner, leaving the trialist keeper with no chance.
The winner arrived on 81 minutes. Terry Bondo got to a loose ball first inside the area and was brought down, conceding a penalty. Nolan stepped up and smashed the spot-kick straight down the middle to complete the turnaround.
Spennymoor almost snatched a draw in stoppage time. Matty Dolan's 25-yard free-kick cleared the wall but crashed back off the crossbar, and Hartlepool held on.
The Turning Point
Nolan's 70th-minute equaliser changed the entire complexion of the game. Spennymoor had been comfortable since Bennett's opener, but once Nolan found the far corner, the momentum swung decisively. The resulting penalty 11 minutes later — won by Bondo's sharp movement — was the logical conclusion of Hartlepool's sustained pressure.
Key Performers
Jack Nolan (Hartlepool United) — Scored both goals (70', 81' pen) to turn the game on its head. The curling finish from the right flank was the pick of the two. Player of the match.
Richie Bennett (Spennymoor Town) — Took his goal superbly, showing composure and technique to lob the goalkeeper from distance. A constant nuisance for the Hartlepool defence.
Danny Johnson (Spennymoor Town) — Played the key pass for Bennett's opener and linked play effectively before being forced off late with a back injury after crashing into the dugout.
Terry Bondo (Hartlepool United) — Won the decisive penalty with a sharp turn inside the box, giving Nolan the chance to seal the win.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Hartlepool's first-half dominance — the post hit, the saved headers, the dragged shots — was not reflected on the scoreboard at the break. The visitors' persistent pressure paid off in the final quarter. Spennymoor's goal came from their only clear chance of the second half before the equaliser, underlining the efficiency of Bennett's finish.
What It Means
Spennymoor suffered their first loss of pre-season after earlier wins over lower-league opposition. Miller was without six first-team players — Glen Taylor, Rob Ramshaw and Junior Mondal away on holiday, Brad James injured — and fielded three trialists. Danny Johnson's back injury and Danny Jones' head gash are concerns ahead of Tuesday's fixture.
Hartlepool secured back-to-back pre-season wins after beating Redcar Athletic 4-2 on 14 July. Lee Clark's side continue their build-up ahead of the 2026-27 National League campaign.
Next up: Spennymoor Town are next in action on Tuesday 21 July (opponent unconfirmed at time of writing). Hartlepool United's next friendly is also scheduled for the week commencing 20 July.
Verdict
A game of two halves — or more accurately, one half of Hartlepool dominance, 20 minutes of Spennymoor efficiency, and a final 20-minute surge from the visitors that their first-half pressure merited. Nolan's finishing provided the cutting edge that had been missing before the break.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 19 Jul 2026