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Spirited Salford can see off Hartlepool to reach third round

| 04.12.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | December 2, 2015

Salford City v Hartlepool United

  • FA Cup second round
  • Friday, December 4th
  • Kick-off: 19:55
  • Moor Lane, Salford
  • Live on BBC Two

Can Neville Valencia appointment inspire Salford victory?

Ahead of seventh-tier outfit Salford City’s FA Cup second home round tie with League Two team Hartlepool United, co-owner Gary Neville has snatched all the headlines after being appointed new Valencia boss.

Soccer - Emirates FA Cup - First Round - Salford City v Notts County - Moor Lane

So, will the former Manchester United great’s move, to join brother Phil at the Mestella, give inspiration to his Ammies side, joint-managed by Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley?

On paper, Salford should come nowhere near to beating a club that are three divisions above them, but this is the magical FA Cup we’re talking about here and they did just knock out Notts County, who are above the Pools in their table.

In fact, the Northeast side are way down in 20th, and are on a terrible run of four losses in their last five in the league, so back the hosts at a terrific 11/4 with Coral to win again.

Potentially being watched on from the sidelines by owners Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes, as well as Ryan Giggs and Neville brothers if other commitments allow them, it is a fantastic price to take given their dominance of County last time out in the first round.

Former Man Utd forward Danny Webber got the opener in the 2-0 victory that day, and is 9/4 to net anytime again, while substitute Ritchie Allen’s (3/1) wondergoal ensured their progression.

Can former Pool Poole haunt old club?

One man in particular who will be up for this clash is attacker James Poole, who spent three years on Hartlepool’s books until 2014. He tops the anytime market for Salford at 2/1.

Current Pools players looking to find the net, though, include Rakish Bingham and Scott Fenwick, who have two goals apiece this term. They are both 5/4 to score anytime.

Luckily for the hosts, ex-Leeds United striker Billy Paynter is unavailable, though ex-Whites graduate Michael Woods (3/1) could feature.

Soccer - Emirates FA Cup - First Round - Salford City v Notts County - Moor Lane

Salford, who are up in third in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, though, should be able to call upon star of the BBC documentary Class of ’92: Out of Their League, Gareth Seddon (9/4).

Hartlepool gained a narrow 1-0 win over Cheltenham Town at home in the last round, and are the even-money favourites to triumph once more. A draw, meanwhile, is a tempting 12/5 price, which would mean a replay at Victoria Park.

Related

Check out our FA Cup archive.

Coral’s top tip: Ex-Red Devil Webber got the opener against Notts County in the first round, and is a great 9/4 shout to net anytime again.

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Author

Sam Barnard

Sam has been writing for Coral since January 2014, and is the assistant editor of the news site. As well as the main betting sports, football, tennis and cricket, he covers the likes of golf, F1 and darts too, the latter of which has become a particular favourite. Sam enjoys playing as much as writing about sports, but niggling injuries have limited his participation in recent years, so is happy to mainly watch the pros such as Manchester United, Yorkshire CCC, Raymond van Barneveld and even Gibraltar national football team instead.