By Eggy_Poolie
April 10 2006

Both teams will be going into this game needing the 3 points. Colchester needing the 3 points to get out of the league the right way and Hartlepool need the 3 points to stay in the league. Both teams will be going into this game needing the 3 points. Colchester needing the 3 points to get out of the league the right way via automatic promotion. Hartlepool need the 3 points to fiht off relegation and stay in League 1.
The U's enter the game after picking up only 3 points in the last 4 games and they will want to put the weekends defeat to Nottingham Forest behind them and get their promotion hunt back on track. Colchesters last win came against Pools last opponents when they beat Swindon 1-0 at Layer Road.
Hartlepool come into the game with similar form also picking up only 3 points in the last 4 games and the last win was that brilliant Friday night thumping of Huddersfield Town. Hartlepool have certainly had their fare share of bad luck in recent weeks and Pools luck will have to change at some point.

The team news: Paul Stevenson still has a long injury list to content with and will probably still be without the services of Joel Porter, Mark Tinkler, Tony Sweeney and Hugh Robertson. Apart from that the squad should be pretty similar to that who drew at Swindon at the weekend. The Colchester side pretty light on ijuries and will have an almost full strength squad to take on Hartlepool. The travelling Pools fans will also have the pleasure of watching an in form Neil Danns (familiar name) playing against his old club.

The last time the clubs met Colchester stole all 3 points in a smash and grab victory when on loan striker Cureton netted for Colchester. Last season Pools got a 2-1 victory at The Vic and a 1-1 draw away from home
The season before that a 0-0 draw at home but a beauty goal by Stevie Istead (remember him) got us all 3 points at Layer Road

Well for the travelling fans enjoy the entertainment and lets hope Pools can grab all 3 points.

Pools Online Prediction
Colchester United 1 - 2 Hartlepool United