Our Young Mariners began 2025 with a win over Hartlepool in the Youth Alliance Cup, topping their group and making it four wins out of a possible four in the competition’s group stage.

Henry Booth and Harry Ward were on target as Neil Woods’ side started the year by registering a 100%-win record in the opening stages of the tournament.

Despite positive results against Doncaster, Bradford City and Harrogate in the previous fixtures, a win was still needed in order for the Young Mariners to progress through to the quarter-finals.

Town started the game well and came close through Carlo Midwinter and Booth, and it was the latter who fired the ball past the visiting keeper midway through the first half to give hosts the lead.

Hartlepool responded instantly after a smart through ball saw their striker bring the ball around Hayden Rogers in the Mariners’ net to bring the score level.

The second-half was a much more even contest between the two sides, with the Pools coming close to taking the lead when an effort from distance hit the woodwork.

Town probed at the visiting side, but struggled to create any dangerous threats, until the final few minutes of the game when Kieran Catchpole played a cross into the feet of U15s forward Ward, who confidently struck home to seal the win.

The Mariners are next in action on Saturday when they travel to Cumbria to face Carlisle away in the League.

Town: Rogers, Edwards, Jalloh, Hawley (Peterson, 68’), Carrick, Blankley, Booth (Ward, 72’), Shipstone, Midwinter, Smith (Onoh, 60’), Foster (Catchpole, 68’)

Unused subs: Chisholm