Hatters swoop for speedy Mac
COUNTY’S pre-season preparations continued to take shape this week, as Jim Gannon’s side secured the sought-after signing of Fleetwood Town full-back Macauley SouthamHales, before easing to back-to-back friendly wins at Colne on Saturday.
Right wing-back Southam-Hales, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at National League rivals Hartlepool Utd last season, joined The Hatters from parent club Fleetwood, despite strong public interest from Hartlepool manager Dave Challinor.
The pacey former Cardiff City youngster initially joined Joey Barton’s side from Barry Town of the Welsh Premier League in 2019, and opted to make the move to Edgeley Park last week after several declarations of interest by former County defender Challinor over at Hartlepool.
And, after getting another impressive target through the doors at Edgeley Park, boss Jim Gannon revealed that The Hatters swooped to secure the signature of the Welshman after initially “monitoring” the 24-year-old for the future.
“It is great to have Macauley join us at this stage just as we start the final preparations for the season ahead. He was a player we were monitoring for future recruitment, but we are delighted that we have been able to secure his services early for this coming season,” said Gannon.
“The right-hand side of our team needed another addition to add to Sam Minihan at right back and Adam Thomas as the main wide right attacking midfielder. The recent injury to Sam highlighted the weakness in terms of depth and cover at right back and down the right hand-side in general.
“Macauley will provide Two first-half goals in on our shape and how we “We had that squad of regularly reminded supgreat quality in the attackLancashire, courtesy of an get up the pitch.” twenty at Colne which is a porters that this figure is ing right back and rightown goal and an Adam Forwards Richie Bennumber I want, but one is subject to change dependwing back roles. Given the Thomas header, were nett and Jordan Williams, a trialist and one is a ent on government and FA demands in these posienough to seal The Hatwho’ve enjoyed spells short-term contract. guidelines around the tions we are very fortunate ters’ second successive together at Northwich and “We’ve got those trepandemic. to have increased the win in pre-season followBarrow, continued to mendous options up top, Meanwhile, club icons options in our first team ing a 1-0 triumph over Salrenew that partnership in and Fraser (Preston, trialSam Walker and Paul for this area. ford ten days earlier – and the blue and white of The ist) looked lively out there Turnbull moved on from
“When the fans see while Gannon admitted Hatters, with Connor Jentoo - but Simon Wilson is The Hatters this week after Macauley play (next Satthat his side weren’t at nings in behind the duo in working hard on maybe featuring in the club’s first urday), they’ll see a sharp their “fluid” best, he was the first half. one or two more additions three pre-season fixtures. and dynamic full-back happy with another solid Alex Reid and Nyal Bell prior to the big kick-off.” Gannon had been who can create a lot of outing. entered the fray up top The National League insistent that The Hatters opportunities. “We weren’t as smooth after the break, with Harkicks off on Saturday 3rd were simply helping the
“We’ve got versatile and sharp and fluid as vey Gilmour and Alex October with a limited popular duo secure moves options in Adam Thomas we’d like, but there’s a big Curran in behind the duo number of supporters elsewhere by featuring and Sam Minihan on the slope at Colne, the grass is – and while Gannon is allowed back in stadia. them in friendlies, with right, but I’m really looklong, and they were gencontent with his “exciting” County have already had legendary skipper Turning forward to seeing erally tough conditions. attacking options, the almost 1,500 season tickbull moving onto National Macauley in County col“You always expect to Irishman revealed that he ets renewed out of 1,898 League North side Curzon ours.” have more possession in and Director of Football sales from last season, Ashton last week.
Southam-Hales these games rather than Simon Wilson are continwith the remainder (up to Creative midfielder watched on from the the games against the uing to work on strength2,700) going on general Walker is expected to stands as County won 2-0 likes of Fleetwood and ening the ranks at Edgeley sale on Wednesday (9th move to newly-relegated at Colne on Saturday, with Rochdale, and we circuPark. Sept) as the Express went National League side the right-sided attacking lated the ball well enough, “We’ve definitely got to print. Macclesfield Town, who defender set to make his but there were elements pace and power in any of 2,700 is the reduced continue to rebuild under Hatters bow in this Saturto tidy up on. In this next our front three we play; we capacity figure County are new boss Tim Flowers day’s pre-season friendly period of pre-season, can see that from these working towards, after a tumultuous season with Curzon Ashton. we’re continuing to work games so far. although the club have in League Two.
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