Report By Alfie Bugg
Southport exit the FA Cup at the expense of Halifax Town as the Sandgrounders suffer a 3-1 defeat at Haig Avenue.
An equaliser from Jim Simms couldn’t propel Southport back into the cup tie as the National League opposition won in a thrilling contest.
Separated by over 40 league places, Halifax showed their supremacy and broke the deadlock with their first attack. Josh Hmami unleashed an effort that rattled the crossbar and fell fortuitously to Shaymen number nine Will Harris who tapped in from close range after just four minutes.
But Southport heads didn’t drop, just five minutes later the game was level after Simms turned in an effort from Paul Murphy-Worrell to cap off an electric first ten minutes.
Halifax displayed their National League quality in the minutes that followed, but not without the hosts having chances of their own. Hmami hit the woodwork again after spotting Chris Renshaw off his line before ex-Shaymen Jordan Slew produced a top save from Halifax’s goalkeeper Sam Johnson to keep the scores level.
After two close efforts, it was third time lucky for Hmami who got his goal in the 23rd minute. A mazy run and delicate cross from Angelo Cappello was met by the attacker who fired home for the seventh time this season.
Simms thought he had a second just before half time following a fantastic header from a corner, but was denied by the referee who spotted a foul in the box.
With only one goal separating the two sides, the game poised going into the second half, with the next goal surely being crucial in deciding the tie.
Unfortunately for Southport, it was the West-Yorkshire side that got the goal to double their advantage. A slick corner routine saw Harris power in a header at the back post for his second of the afternoon just five minutes after the restart.
Yet the Sandgrounders showed fight to keep their FA Cup hopes alive, and had a golden chance to reduce the deficit through Sonny Hilton. After dispossessing the Halifax defence the midfielder delayed for a moment too long before releasing his shot, and saw his effort blocked just in front of goal.
However, there was to be no late FA Cup drama, and the visitors stood firm to put their name in the hat for the first round for only the second time in the last four seasons. Southport are next in action at Haig Avenue con October 21st when we host Chorley.
