Hope at Haig Avenue is gradually resurfacing. After a summer break in which doubts prevailed and events often dismayed, Southport supporters are now able to look forward with grounds for encouragement.

It will take many more outings and a considerably sterner examination of their credentials before anyone can attempt an accurate forecast at how well the completely refurbished Sandgrounders can negotiate the Nationwide Conference. But such has been the uncertainty for players, management and fans during the past three months, the positives are certainly in need of being accentuated.

Promising in possession and constructing their play with purpose and thought, Paul Cook’s side suggest they have the potential to forge a competent outfit. Their endeavours during the opening period came mightily close to forcing a deserved breakthrough and while the outcome could have quite feasibly favoured either team, a failure to score should not detract from an admirable team display





Having produced some tidy football during pre-season, however, it is highly improbable that Southport could have faced a side more willing to afford them the opportunity of integrating that potential into their league campaign. Content with defending deep, Woking exhibited little ambition or confidence and the surprisingly low number of travelling fans is probably a fair indication of ambitions at Kingfield this season.

In forcing Southport’s debutant goalkeeper Ryan Robinson into action as well as having three efforts hacked off the line, the visitors manufactured the most clear-cut openings, but their chances were an unfair reflection of a game in which they attacked intermittently.

‘Port defender Chris Lane, who was called upon to twice save his side, registered a hugely influential individual display, while Mark Boyd, Liam Blakeman and Dino Maamria all hinted that there will be more to come. No-one caught the eye more, however, than Alex Smith, the increasingly impressive left-winger, whose industry and activity provided a valuable outlet for the hosts, as well as showing a willingness to defend.

And it was Smith who helped instigate the game’s first opening, picking a smart pass to release Lee Hoolickin, only for goalkeeper Shwan Jalal to thwart the full-back. The Sandgrounders mustered several early chances with admirable interplay, but despite working some good positions, failed to administer the finish they required.



Maamria shot limply into the arms of the visiting stopper after indecision from defender Tom Hutchinson had provided him with a very presentable opportunity, before an effort from Blakeman whistled over with ten minutes gone. The creative midfielder also worked a good move with Mark Jackson, but was unable to execute an awkward bounce with conviction from close range.

Mark Boyd deflected wide a Craig McAllister shot that prompted a succession of openings for the visitors, while Steven Rowland was forced into an important challenge after Steve Ferguson turned Kevin Lee with great ease. Although the opportunity was of no special consequence, it signalled the potential vulnerabilities which could be costly when facing shrewder opponents.





Goalkeeper Robinson performed promisingly having become Southport’s first new number one for seven years and his contribution was underlined by a good show of reflexes on forty minutes: denying Steve Evans with his chest and getting a leg to Liam Cockerill’s low effort.

The Woking winger was also denied by Lane after a Ferguson cross as the Cards threatened again, but the most significant miss of the afternoon came from Southport, who failed to assume a half-time lead from the penalty spot. Baker was clumsily tripped by Evans after receiving a pass from Maamria, only for skipper Boyd to crash his resultant kick high against the upright.

Smith shot over on the hour and substitute Joe Fowler, a lively acquisition, had an effort saved by Jalal, but as the Sandgrounders’ threat receded, their opponents emerged as the most likely to snatch a win.

Defender Lane denied Ollie Berquez with a clearance off the line after Ferguson’s cross, while Gary MacDonald almost exposed some aerial frailties, but his header from a Shola Oyedele free-kick was repelled by Rowland, the recovering centre-half.

(Southport 0 - 0 Woking)



Southport boss Paul Cook (left) with Woking counterpart Glenn Cockerill

Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Ryan Robinson, 2. Chris Lane, 5. Kevin Lee, 15. Steve Rowland, 3. Lee Hoolickin, 7. Carl Baker (14. Robbie Booth ‘60), 6. Mark Boyd, 8. Liam Blakeman (4. Michael Powell ’76), 17. Alex Smith, 18. Mark Jackson (19. Joe Fowler ’44), 10. Dino Maamria.
Unused Substitutes: 21. Paul Harrison, 11. James Olsen.

Referee: C. Pawson

Attendance: 1,305

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 17. Alex Smith

Final Score: Southport 0, Woking 0
Shots on Target: Southport 8, Woking 6
Shots off Target: Southport 3, Woking 2
Corners: Southport 1, Woking 5
Fouls Committed: Southport 14, Woking 11
Bookings: Southport 2, Woking 1
Sent-Off: Southport 0, Woking 0