RETURNING JOSH SEALS A SUPER SIX FOR TOWN

IN-FORM FC Halifax Town made it six successive wins as they ended Southport’s FA Cup run with a classy away performance in the north-west.

Adam Lakeland’s National League high-flyers proved too good for the Sandgrounders after capitalising on a goal-laden opening.

The Shaymen took the lead inside four minutes through Will Harris, only for Jim Simms to level for Port four minutes later.

Former Port striker Josh Hmami restored the visitors’ lead on 22 minutes, leaving Harris to make sure of victory early in the second half.

“We did what we needed to do and found a way to win the game,” Lakeland said.

“We wanted to get ahead early which we did but when they make a good save and within a couple minutes they scored. We just felt like it was going to be a difficult cup tie.

”The Shaymen got off to the best possible start when, on four minutes, Angelo Cappello drove the length of the pitch and crossed for Hmami, who rattled the bar with a header and Harris reacted the fastest to tap into the net.

Moments later, Southport were level after Jordan Slew and Sonny Hilton combined down the left, Paul Murphy-Worrell’s effort was fired across the face of goal and poked home by Simms.

Top scorer Hmami nearly regained the lead for Halifax after spotting Chris Renshaw off his line and attempted an audacious effort from range but again saw his effort strike off the woodwork.

But it was third time lucky in the end for the former Sandgrounder who found the back of the net after 22 minutes, heading another inviting cross from Cappello into the far corner.

The rest of the half followed in a similar vein with chances for both sides providing an intense end to end first half – both Sam Johnson and Renshaw forced into making great saves to keep the scoreline at 2-1.

Notably, just before the end of the half, Simms had a goal ruled out after heading in an inswinging corner but referee Aaron Jackson blew up for a foul.

Quickly after the break, Cappello’s dangerous burst down the left flank provided the Shaymen a corner in the 50th minute.

Hmami’s short corner found Turner-Cooke who picked out Harris at the back post and the striker neatly notched his second of the game and Halifax’s third.

Chances becamse few and far between fro Port, although Sonny Hilton showed promise after winning the ball back and firing on goal but Jack Jenkins recovered well to block.

Lakeland’s men saw out the victory to add to their five straight league successes and seal their progression.

STAR MAN: Angelo Cappello (Halifax)

ATT: 2,194

ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★

REFEREE: Aaron Jackson