Hmami in as fans return to stadium
MORE than a thousand supporters filled the terraces at The Pure Stadium on Saturday as football made a welcome return to Haig Avenue.
Southport fans witnessed their team beaten 2-0 by Championship outfit Blackpool – but the sense of occasion was the clear priority for manager Liam Watson.
“I think the performance was secondary, it was a day for getting the fans back in,” he said.
“It was nice to be able to go round, mingling – it was nice to be able to mingle with the players because you haven’t really had that!
“It felt like the old times. I really appeciate Critch and Ben bringing Blackpool again, it was a brilliant occasion. Obviously they have just had a great season, gettng promoted and I’m sure they will do very, very well in the Championship. They fielded two very strong 45-minute sides, so we were tested!
“There were five or six lads who played 90 minutes for us and their last game was against Torquay in January! Seven months without football, so the ones who actually came through 90 minutes, every credit to them. We didn’t want to turn it into a lottery, bringing all triallists in and whatever, we tried to work with where we are and I’m pleased with what we’ve got.”
Watson’s squad was bolstered before the game by the addition of midfielder Josh Hmami, who featured in the friendly against Blackpool.
Hmami was with Marine last season and made a great impression in their historic FA Cup run which culminated in a home tie with Tottenham Hotspur.
The 21-year-old is an attacking midfielder who was born in Oldham and his youth career was spent at Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Accrington where he made one senior appearance.
Hmami has also had time at The New Saints, a loan spell at FC United of Manchester and Ramsbottom United where he scored 11 time in 25 starts.
In the shortened 202021 season he made 20 appearances for Marine finding the back of the net eight times.
“Josh is someone I’ve seen an awful lot, I’ve seen him develop,” said Watson. “He’s done great for Marine and Marine done great for him.
“He obviously has a burning desire to step up, I don’t think he was able to get himself a full time club but he’s still jumping up two levels to the Conference North, so if his ambition is to play in the Football League then it’s been a good stride for him.”
With the squad coming together ahead of the National League North campaign, Watson admitted they were still light on numbers, but added he was happy with what he had.
“If you haven’t got your squad in place and you’ve had seven months to prepare, there’s something really wrong with you! We are, one hundred per cent, light on numbers and things will be tight. But with what we’ve got I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
“We have some very good technical players and even though the squad is small, there’s good competition in the squad.”
Goals from Connor Woods and Dylan Vassallo gave Southport a 2-1 win in their second pre-season warm up game at Runcorn on Tuesday.
A very entertaining end to end game with a number of chances for both sides and plenty of positives for manager Liam Watson to ponder over as he takes stock of his squad for 2021-22.
Runcorn took the lead in the 23rd minute through Ryan Brooke before Connor Woods, who had an excellent evening, playing for the full 90 minutes equalised with good low shot.
Southport made seven changes for the second half and posed more of a threat but it took until the 86th minute to break down a strong Runcorn defence when after some great build up play Dylan Vassallo scored with a lovely finish.
Southport have added a home friendly against Marine to the pre-season schedule.
The match will take place at The Pure Stadium on Tuesday 27th July with a 7.45pm Kick Off.