Harrogate Town 2 Eastleigh 0: New boy Maxim Kouogun insists there is 'more to come'

Maxim Kouogun made his Harrogate Town debut against Eastleigh. Picture: Hal Boxhall-Dockree

The Cameroon-born centre-half impressed as Simon Weaver's team beat Eastleigh 2-0 at the CNG Stadium, securing their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

Kouogun, 22, was only unveiled as a Town player on Tuesday evening, but has settled quickly at Wetherby Road and was thrown straight in from the start against the Spitfires.

"It was good, I really enjoyed it," said the former Waterford defender.

"The lads were great and I think we were worthy winners in the end.

"It was great to start with a clean-sheet and hopefully there are many more to come.

"I thought I was good, but that's only the beginning. There's more to come from me and I'm looking forward to helping us push on.

"As the games go on, I'm going to get back into my rhythm and back towards being 100 per cent, but today I did a job. We got the clean-sheet and I'm happy with that. I'll only build from that."

Kouogun's first taste of competitive football in England saw him pitted against a real powerhouse in Eastleigh striker James Alabi, but the Town new boy said he relished the fight.

"You always enjoy those type of battles," added Kouogun, who has previosuly played in both Ireland and Northern Ireland.

"He [Alabi] is a good player, a big, strong lad. You just have to match him and try and be clever, try nick it in front of him, or sit off, whatever you have to do.

"The standard is similar [to the League of Ireland Premier Division]. The top teams over there are maybe a little bit better than Eastleigh, but overall, the standard wasn't too different to what I'm used to."

Kouogun was one of six changes to Weaver's starting line-up, though Town still had more than enough to overcome an Eastleigh side who had won just two of their previous eight games.

Alex Bradley opened the scoring for the hosts on 23 minutes when he bent a delicious strike around Ross Flitney from the edge of the penalty area having being teed-up by Kian Harratt.

Substitute Jack Emmett then wrapped things up late on, calmly slotting home Brendan Kiernan's pull-back.

Town return to action on Tuesday evening when National League promotion rivals Yeovil visit the CNG Stadium, 7.45pm kick-off.