Former Newcastle United defender urges promotion party caution ahead of National League play-off final

Hartlepool United’s play-off semi-final win over Stockport County was cause for celebration, but former Newcastle United man Jamie Sterry was mindful not to ‘go over the top’ given what is still to come.
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Ultimately, Pools’ 1-0 win at Edgeley Park will count for little if the side aren’t able to follow it up with a victory and promotion over Torquay United in the play-off final at Ashton Gate this Sunday (2pm kick-off).

Sterry wasn’t at Pools for the 5-0 defeat to The Gulls at the start of the season but was part of the side that won 1-0 at Plainmoor back in March.

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And the former Magpies defender believes the side have what it takes to clinch promotion.

Jamie Sterry, HUFC 1 - 0 SUFC, National League, Victoria Park 30-01-21. Picture by FRANK REIDJamie Sterry, HUFC 1 - 0 SUFC, National League, Victoria Park 30-01-21. Picture by FRANK REID
Jamie Sterry, HUFC 1 - 0 SUFC, National League, Victoria Park 30-01-21. Picture by FRANK REID

“We’ve done the work to get here so we should believe in ourselves to win on Sunday,” he said.

“Especially with the game down in Torquay that we won, I know it means nothing but it gives you that little bit of confidence that we can go there and beat them."

On Pools’ celebrations following the win at Stockport, Sterry added: “You have got to enjoy the highs when they come around but you can’t go over the top, you’ve got to stay calm.

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"The lads were celebrating there and I’m a bit like ‘we haven’t won anything yet’ if you know what I mean but of course you’ve got to enjoy it when it does come around.

"It’s such a good group in the dressing room, there’s no bad eggs and we stick together on the pitch as well and it’s the same in training where we demand more of each other.”

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