The FC Preview: FC Hartlepool vs Ryton & Crawcrook Albion

Match Preview: FC Hartlepool vs Ryton & Crawcrook Albion

By FC Hartlepool Media Team Published: Tuesday 28 July 2026

First Home League Game of the 2026/27 Season

FC Hartlepool return to Grayfields on Tuesday evening for the club’s first home league fixture of the 2026/27 Ebac Northern League Division Two campaign as Ryton & Crawcrook Albion make the trip to Hartlepool.

After opening the season with a disciplined 0-0 draw away at Darlington Town, Mark Loynes’ side will be looking to build on that solid start and make an immediate impact on home soil.

The visitors also arrive searching for their first points of the new campaign after suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Tow Law Town on the opening weekend. Louis Calvert, Albion’s leading league scorer with 23 goals last season, opened his account for the new campaign from the penalty spot and will once again be a key attacking threat.

Opening Weekend

FC Hartlepool began the season by earning a hard-fought point away at Darlington Town on Friday night. A well-organised defensive display secured a clean sheet and provided a solid platform to build from heading into the club’s first home fixture.

Ryton & Crawcrook Albion, meanwhile, pushed Tow Law Town all the way before falling to a 2-1 defeat despite Calvert’s late penalty.

Last Time at Grayfields

The corresponding fixture last season produced an entertaining 3-1 victory for FC Hartlepool.

After a goalless first half, the visitors broke the deadlock just after the hour mark through Callum Johnston. FC responded almost immediately as substitute Jake Stott levelled the scores four minutes later before Fin O’Gorman struck twice in the closing stages to seal all three points.

Supporters will be hoping for another positive evening at Grayfields as FC look to continue the excellent home form that became a hallmark of last season.