Refwatch: Hartlepool United v Rochdale

The first meeting of the campaign between the two teams relegated from the EFL last season will be refereed on Saturday by DALE BAINES.

That’s right, Dale will be refereed by Dale!

The Liverpool official is in his first full season refereeing in the National League, but he does have significant footballing pedigree in that he is the brother of former Wigan and Everton defender Leighton Baines, who made 582 appearances at club level before retiring in 2020.

Dale has taken charge of six games in the National League so far this term, showing 19 yellow cards. He also referees regularly in Premier League 2, which is the top flight’s reserve league.

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