Goalkeeper Max Thompson made his first senior appearance since leaving Newcastle United, starting for Hartlepool United in their 1-0 home defeat to Harrogate Town on Tuesday night. The 22-year-old joined the National League side on a short-term deal earlier that afternoon and went straight into the starting eleven at Victoria Park.
Thompson came through the academy ranks at St. James' Park and was part of Eddie Howe's first-team squad, named as an unused substitute for Champions League matches against sides like Barcelona and Benfica. He was released by Newcastle at the end of last season without making a senior appearance for the club. His previous match experience came during loan spells at Northampton Town, Chesterfield, and Ayr United in the Scottish Championship.
Hartlepool United, who were without a permanent manager for the fixture, lost the match to a second-half strike from Bailey Hobson. "Bailey Hobson's second half strike proving decisive," the match report noted. The defeat leaves Hartlepool in 14th place in the National League table, having won just one of their last five matches. Their next fixture is a home game against Bromley this Saturday.
Thompson's move provides a chance to regain regular playing time as Newcastle United's first team prepares for its next Premier League fixture. The Magpies, currently 9th in the table with 8 points from five games, face Coventry City away on 12 October. Newcastle's recent form includes two wins, two draws, and one loss from their opening five matches of the season.
The original report is at Newcastle United
