Fleetwood Town loanee Macauley Southam-Hales claims 'there's a lot more to come' from him at Hartlepool United following man of the match debut

The 23-year-old right back helped Pools keep their first clean sheet in eight matches as they beat play-off chasing Stockport County 2-0 at Victoria Park.

Southam-Hales was named man of the match following what manager Dave Challinor described as a ‘complete’ full-back display.

With goals from Aidan Keena and Mark Shelton proving to be the difference between the sides, the on-loan defender felt it was an all around great team performance from United.

“There could have been a number of man of the match winners and I feel quite fortunate to get it to be honest,” Southam-Hales admitted.

“Shelts got a goal and an assist, you can’t go wrong with that so he looked at me in the changing room giving me daggers but anyone could have had it because everyone was spot on.

“In my own standards, I know I’ve had a good debut but that’s all it is and there’s a lot more to come and obviously the boys have seen me play they know what to expect and hopefully that will help us moving forward.”

After playing with Fleetwood’s under-23s side for the first half of the season, the Welsh defender is pleased to be back playing ‘proper football’ at Pools.

“I’m just going to enjoy it, playing proper football again is great,” he added.

“Getting kicked, getting up, smiling, that’s what it’s about.

“In 23s football, the technical side is there but you just can’t match the crowd being there and getting behind you or even on your back, it’s what you need as a player.“The 23s games are great for fitness but there’s nothing like playing a proper game in front of a crowd hearing people sing your name and the atmosphere.

“You’ve just got to take it all in really because I’ve missed that.

“It was a brilliant atmosphere, if the fans keep that up until the end of the season, I’m sure we’ll be right up there because they play a massive part in that.”