Southport v FC Halifax Town Match Report

FC Halifax Town booked their place in the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 2022 with a 3-1 win over National League side Southport 3-1 at Haig Avenue with two goals from Will Harris and one from Josh Hmami.

Town boss Adam Lakeland made two changes to last weekend’s starting line-up against Brackley Town with Will Harris & Owen Bray in for David Kawa and Owen Devonport.

The Shaymen went ahead on 4th minute, Angelo Cappello interception in own half from Jordan Keane’s pass, he raced down the left, his cross was headed against the bar by Josh Hmami and Will Harris back in the starting lineup had a simple finish from close range for the perfect start.

Two minutes later Owen Bray skipped past former Town defender Sam Minihan and his pull back in the penalty area found Sean Tarima, but his shot had to be turned around the post by Chris Renshaw for the corner, which was taken short but the cross into the box was able to be cleared by the home side.

The lead didn’t last long, another former Town man Jordan Slew combined on the left with Sonny Hilton, the pull back found it’s way to James Simms and he fired past Sam Johnson for the equaliser.

Town nearly went again on 12 minutes, Josh Hmami got in behind Southport following a header which didn’t have enough on it back to the goalkeeper and he tried to chip Renshaw, but his shot was off the bar for a second time, but this time Harris couldn’t get onto the rebound.

Turner-Cooke looked for Cappello down the line, he managed to cross the ball on the by-line, and his pull back found Bray, and he forced a fine save from Renshaw as Town looked dangerous heading forwards.

Southport down the right, Hilton shot from the edge of the box was turned around the post by Sam Johnson as the chances kept coming at both ends of the pitch.

A minute later another chance, this time for Slew. He picked up on a loose ball at the edge of the box, but his effort was saved by the legs of Johnson.

Town retook the lead on 23 minutes. Cappello down the left, his cross was met perfectly by Josh Hmami, and his header was past Renshaw into the bottom corner against his former Club for 2-1.

Angelo Cappello was the first man to go into Aaron Jackson’s book in the 29th minute for stopping a Southport attack by Paul Murphy-Worrell on the right-hand side.

A freekick into the Southport box, was cleared. Tarima couldn’t control and Southport were able to counterattack with the ball out for Slew but his ball into the box was cut out for a corner by Shaun Hobson.

Hilton’s ball in the box for Simms was put behind for a Southport corner by defender Jevon Mills. Taken short, but Town defended well, and no opportunity was created by the home side.

Slew down the left-hand side, cut in and had the goal in his sights. His shot had to be turned around the post by Johnson for another corner. This time, the ball into the box was headed past Johnson by Simms for what the majority of Haig Lane thought was going to 2-2 but referee Aaron Jackson gave the Shaymen a freekick.

Into the second half, another long run by Cappello combined with Cooke, back to Cappello. His cross looked for Harris, but former Town defender Jordan Keane had to be there to put out for a corner.

Town made it 3-1 from the set piece, the ball was played short, Jay Turner-Cooke had time and space in the box, his cross was headed powerfully past Renshaw by Harris for his second goal of the game on 50 minutes.

Hilton’s freekick into the box was headed into the air, the ball was played out to Slew, however his shot was only into the side netting from a tight angle.

Adam Lakeland made the first chance of the game on 56 minutes with Thierry Latty-Fairweather on for Sean Tarima.

Hmami went into the book on 57 minutes followed a minute later by Slew much to the delight of the travelling fans before Southport made their own change of Danny Lloyd on for James Simms.

Substitute Amaral went into the book for a foul on Latty-Fairweather who had gone on a charging run following an interception for the fourth Southport booking in 10 minutes.

Turner-Cooke’s corner into the box was met by Jevon Mills and his half volley was over the bar.

Town players and fans alike were appealing for a penalty for handball but had to settle for another corner, which was delayed by a double change for Town with Jenkins and Devonport on for Hmami and Turner-Cooke.

Jack Jenkins was disposed just outside his own box, Southport came forward through Hilton but his shot was deflected out for a corner by Jenkins who did well to get back to prevent a goal.

A good win for the Shaymen and sees them go into the draw for the 1st round which will be on Monday evening at 6.30pm on TNT Sports 1 where Town will be ball number 61.