FC Hartlepool 1-4 Boldon CA: Clinical visitors claim victory at Grayfields
Match report as FC Hartlepool suffer a 4-1 defeat against Boldon Community Association; Liam Appleby scores for FC after the visitors take control during the second half.
By Wayne Walton | FC Hartlepool Media
Sunday 2 August 2026
FC HARTLEPOOL
82’ Liam Appleby
FULL TIME
1-4
BOLDON CA
27’ Robbie Gateshill
71’ Liam Thear
81’ Max Cowburn
88’ Robbie Gateshill
FC Hartlepool suffered a 4-1 defeat against Boldon Community Association at Grayfields on Saturday afternoon as the visitors made the most of their opportunities to claim all three points.
Despite enjoying long spells of possession and creating several promising chances, FC were unable to capitalise during a positive opening hour. Boldon, meanwhile, demonstrated a clinical edge in front of goal to secure victory in front of an attendance of 102.
Bright start from the hosts
FC settled into the contest well and enjoyed much of the early possession.
After Boldon created the game’s first opportunity, Mikey McGee responded with two efforts of his own. He first dragged a strike from outside the area narrowly wide before beating his defender and firing just off target.
Harvey Parkinson then delivered an inviting cross towards Liam Appleby, but the striker could not quite climb high enough to make a clean connection.
The hosts continued to threaten and came close to taking the lead when McGee forced an excellent save from the Boldon goalkeeper before Appleby’s follow-up was also kept out.
Boldon strike against the run of play
Despite FC’s encouraging start, it was the visitors who opened the scoring after 27 minutes.
A corner was flicked on at the near post and found Robbie Gateshill at the back post, where he bundled the ball home to give Boldon the advantage.
FC continued to push forward before the interval. McGee saw a free-kick deflected behind for a corner before Appleby headed another set-piece comfortably into the goalkeeper’s hands.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, Appleby raced onto a ball over the top but could only direct his effort straight at the goalkeeper as Boldon took a slender lead into the break.
Visitors extend their advantage
FC began the second half positively, with McGee testing the goalkeeper shortly after the restart.
Boldon remained a threat on the counter, however, and Jack Halton produced an excellent save to keep the deficit at one.
FC then looked to inject fresh energy into the contest with the introductions of Fin Smith, Nathan Bayes and Jake Stott.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 71st minute when a long throw was not dealt with inside the penalty area, allowing Liam Thear to convert from close range.
Boldon continued to apply pressure and added a third ten minutes later. A dangerous free-kick caused problems inside the box, with Max Cowburn reacting quickest to turn the loose ball home.
Appleby responds before Boldon complete the scoring
FC refused to let their heads drop and produced an immediate response.
Good work from McGee created the opening before Appleby’s initial effort was blocked. From the resulting corner, the striker rose highest to power a header into the net and reduce the deficit.
Any hopes of a late comeback were short-lived, though. Boldon produced another well-worked attack in the 88th minute, with strong hold-up play releasing the ball down the right before Gateshill met the resulting cross with a header to claim his second of the afternoon.
There were encouraging spells from FC Hartlepool, particularly during the opening hour, but Boldon’s efficiency in front of goal ultimately proved decisive.
Match details
Northern League Division Two
Saturday 1 August 2026
FC Hartlepool 1–4 Boldon Community Association
Goals:
27’ Robbie Gateshill (Boldon Community Association)
71’ Liam Thear (Boldon Community Association)
81’ Max Cowburn (Boldon Community Association)
82’ Liam Appleby (FC Hartlepool)
88’ Robbie Gateshill (Boldon Community Association)
Half-time: FC Hartlepool 0–1 Boldon Community Association
Attendance: 102
Team line-ups
FC Hartlepool
FC Hartlepool XI
Jack Halton, Olly Duthie, Olly Burrows, Tom Gavin, Scott Close, Matthew Lovatt, Harvey Parkinson, Lewy Green (C), Liam Appleby, Jordan Fielding, Mikey McGee.
Substitutes used:
Fin Smith for Olly Burrows (61’)
Nathan Bayes for Harvey Parkinson (62’)
Jake Stott for Matthew Lovatt (71’)
Boldon Community Association FC
BOLDON C.A FC XI
Daniel Gladstone, Henry Harvey, Harry Knowles, Luke Page (C), Garon Garside, Christopher Bell, Mark Robinson, Robbie Gateshill, Liam Thear, Alfa Djalo, Max Cowburn.
Substitutes:
Lewis Charlton
Liam Lowery
Jordan Laidler
Northern League Division Two
Tuesday 4 August 2026 | 7:30pm
Grayfields Enclosure
FC have an immediate opportunity to respond when Billingham Town visit Grayfields on Tuesday evening.
