Danny Cowley reacts after ex-Norwich striker on trial nets hat-trick in Portsmouth pre-season win

Danny Cowley lavished praise on triallist Gassan Ahadme after he netted a hat-trick in Pompey’s 5-2 pre-season win at the Hawks.
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The striker only linked up with the Blues yesterday, having previously played for Norwich’s under-23s.

He was one of 10 unnamed players who were involved at Westleigh Park.

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Referred to as Triallist H by Cowley, Ahadme came on for the second half when Pompey were 2-1 down.

Gassan Ahadme scored a hat-trick on trial for Pompey at the Hawks. Picture: Paul CollinsGassan Ahadme scored a hat-trick on trial for Pompey at the Hawks. Picture: Paul Collins
Gassan Ahadme scored a hat-trick on trial for Pompey at the Hawks. Picture: Paul Collins

And he bagged a 26-minute hat-trick to ensure the Blues got their first win of the summer.

Cowley was coy when it came to naming Ahadme’s identity – but he thought the Moroccan delivered a ‘complete number-nine performance’.

The head coach told The News: ‘We've got a lot of triallist. For us, we don't want to shout it from the rooftop for obvious reasons.

‘We're calling him Triallist H. He did okay, didn't he.

Danny Cowley. Picture: Chris MoorhouseDanny Cowley. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Danny Cowley. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
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‘I thought he played well. He came in and only joined the group yesterday.

‘I thought it was a complete number-nine performance. I thouht he played with a lot of intelligence, long to short, and made runs in behind.’

‘He caused the Havant backline a real problem and to score three goals is great for any striker.’