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STANDING ORDER FOR GOALDEN LOTTERY
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ARCHIVE NEWS: SEPTEMBER 04 to DECEMBER 05 JANUARY 06 to APRIL 06 MAY 06 to AUG 06 SEPT 06 to DEC 06 JAN 07 FEB 07 MAR 07 APR 07 MAY 07 JUN 07 JULY 07 AUG 07 SEPT 07 OCT 07 NOV 07 DEC 07 JAN 08 FEB 08 MAR 08 APR 08 30 Apr Home v Stalybridge Celtic Play Off Semi-Final 1st Leg Kick Off 7.45pm. Weather is fine as I type at 14.10, pitch was immaculate yesterday, and the forecast rain for tonight should make it ideal as long as there's not too much! Don't forget to book on the coaches for Sunday's game in the Trust Office tonight or by phoning either Alan on 07980-911693 or myself on 077900-41514. SOUTHPORT 1 STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 0 ATT 1361.(210 Standing Stalybridge fans) A great night with us winning and Liverpoo going out of Europe, what more could a man ask for. A super Liam Blakeman strike after 36 minutes gives us a narrow lead against an impressive, pacey looking Stalybridge Celtic team who I'm sure will come out with all guns blazing in the second leg which is set up nicely for Sunday. The second coach is almost full so please book now if you intend travelling by coach so that we can organise a third coach if it is needed. Robbo spurned a couple of good chances to increase the lead and I thought we had a dead on penalty with the handball but alas not. Chris Holland and Neil Prince must be doubts for Sunday, both going off with what looked like serious injuries. Unbelievable that the ref took no action against the Celtic player responsible for Princey's injury, maybe it wasn't as bad a challenge as it looked from a distance and without my glasses on! THE PREDICTION COMPETITION has gone to a play off to decide the winner with the three concerned predicting the scores in the 4 BSN play off games. Paul and Howard have predicted the same scores in 3 of the games as well!! It could be decided on the Barrow v Telford game tonight.
28 Apr Just had a look at the potential make up of the leagues next season and the mileage totals. 8524 if we get promoted to BSP against 3874 if we are in BSN dependant on which teams are where. It's only a rough guide and subject to a number of assumptions but it is quite a difference. Most people know my desire for regionalised football at the lower levels, I want to be able to get to every game we play. You would have to be full time to meet the BSP travel commitments and can most of the clubs at that level honestly sustain full time football? The four true part-timers have been relegated this season which speaks volumes. Time for a re-think? 27 Apr Wembley Reunion Match v 1992/93 squad Kick Off 1.30pm. 26 Apr Away Vauxhall Motors 3pm. Coaches depart Haig Ave at 12.30, The George at 12.35, The Crown at 12.40 and The Arion at 12.50, note reversal of departure places. First coach is full and the second is almost. The fare is just £5 to TIY members £8 to non members. VAUXHALL MOTORS 1 SOUTHPORT 2-Made hard work of that one didn't we but it was a well deserved win against a team who you actually wonder how they survive. The gate of 583 must have had no more than 100 VM fans in it. 2 up after 10 minutes it should have been cruise time and it surely would have been if we had made the most of the glut of chances we created in the first half in which we played some super football. Whether we took our foot off the pedal in the second period, I don't know but it was "squeaky bum" time for those final 15 minutes. The result means we meet Stalybridge at home on Wednesday (another clash with Champions League on TV) and away next Sunday. It will be interesting to see how many turn up on Wednesday hopefully a gate of 1200 which without the "counter-attraction" could have been around the 1700 mark. We shall see. As for the PREDICTION LEAGUE. It has ended in a three way tie which is my worst nightmare as I hadn't planned on what to do in the event of a tie. I shall contact the three concerned, Howard Birch, Paul Aird and Ken Bridge to make arrangements for a play off! Harrogate v Workington, Stalybridge v Redditch, Burscough v Telford and Barrow v Worcester. 25 Apr I will be in the Club Shop 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Coach bookings can be taken and souvenirs including flags etc can be bought for the trip to Vauxhall. SFCSTATS END OF SEASON VOTING Player Of The Year-1st Kevin Lee, 2nd Chris Holland, 3rd Chris Lever Best Home Match-1st Hucknall, 2nd Hyde, 3rd Vauxhall Best Away Match- 1st Telford, 2nd Nuneaton, 3rd Hyde Best Goal-Neil Prince (Setanta Shield) 2nd Mark Houghton v Hinckley Best Team Played-Stalybridge Celtic Worst Team Played-Redditch! Best Ground Visited-AFC Telford. Thank you to everyone who voted, more votes this year than ever before. 23 Apr Just watched the goals from last night again. I hadn't appreciated just how good Tony Gray's goal was and even the Leigh Keeper applauds it.. Anyone wanting to order a copy of the DVD can do so via myself. They are £8 and made to order. E-mail me at rob@southportfcstats.co.uk 22 Apr Home v Leigh RMI 7.45pm. Tamworth v Harrogate 1-1 SOUTHPORT 2 LEIGH RMI 0 A comfortable win, in the end settled by two excellent first half goals by Liam Blakeman and Tony Gray. Fourth game in a row without a booking for us. Liam Blakeman's goal was our 1800th in NL football. Excellent referee as he was last time he came for the Blyth game when he again went the 90 minutes without booking anyone. 19 Apr PREDICTION COMPETITION is going right down to the wire and could well be decided on the finishing position of Southport FC! Not the best set of results for us today but we started the weekend in 6th place, we went up overnight to 4th before finishing back in 6th. However I'm sure the result at Nuneaton has given everyone a boost, things would have been grim without that win, it's in our hands and we have games against two teams already relegated. I think we would have taken that back on August 11th. Matches left that affect us. Tamworth v Harrogate Tuesday 22 April, Barrow v Worcester City, Harrogate v Workington and Stalybridge v Redditch on Saturday 26th. 18 Apr Away Nuneaton-Friday 7.45pm. Coach departs Ainsdale 3.10, The Crown 3.20, The George 3.25 and Haig Ave at 3.30pm. Fare £13 to TIY Members £18 Non Members. Membership Cards must be produced when booking or if you pay on the coach to qualify for members prices. NUNEATON 0 SOUTHPORT 2-A great night, once we got there! Whoever decided to have a Friday night game in Nuneaton? The motorway hassles were soon forgotten as we took an early lead and in honesty rarely looked threatened. It was a strangely subdued Nuneaton crowd who were obviously affected by rumours of off field problems. The vocal and extremely encouraging travelling Sandgrounders(102 counted including those I saw in the stand and down the side) gave excellent backing throughout the game. If only we could get that going at home, hopefully Tuesday night everyone will put aside their moans and really turn out and support the team. It's a pity that some may see a counter attraction (I'd rather watch Morecambe Reserves than that) on TV as more important but those that do turn up need to rally round and get behind the team. I know how much it meant to the players last night to hear the backing and Gary Brabin was truly appreciative of those who travelled the distance on a Friday night. It's in our hands to lose it now. What on paper look easy games won't be and nothing is won on paper. Well done to all the players last night, you performed well when it mattered and gave us all a sense of pride back. My MOTM was Neil Prince but I could have gone for Liam, Matt Hocking, Chris Holland, Chris Lever or Robbo. By the time we'd done the interviews with Brabs after the game it was 10 o'clock when we left and with hold ups and a quick stop at Keele on the motorway it was 12.45 when we got in but it was worth the late night. Just no more Friday night football that involves the M6 please. Two weeks ago we played at Solihull and we all felt as low as you could, the players looked disinterested and even though we are told there was no dressing room unrest there is clearly a new spark about the place. Liam Blakeman is transformed, Neil Prince is running around like a ten year old and there is a spirit amongst the lads that has been missing for some time. For those that contacted me and criticised my comments about the decision to change the manager, I would ask you to think again. Would we now be in this position if the change hadn't been made. We will never know but I know what I think the answer is from most of those who saw wha was going on at Solihull. 17 Apr Certainly the biggest game of the season tomorrow, let's hope we rise to the occasion and avoid defeat. It's going to be a tense night, hopefully with it being an away game everyone will respond and get behind the team and back the players from start to finish. If the official player of the year voting is anything like I have had on this site, it is a four player race with Chris Lever, Chris Holland, Kevin Lee and Mark Duffy all neck and neck. In each year I have run this vote there has been one stand out player, this season virtually every player has received a vote (I have binned the one for Sorvel) and every vote will count. The goal of the season is pretty clear cut this time around, I'll not say which one it is but 95% of the votes cast have voted for the same goal. 15 Apr Home v Alfreton 7.45pm. SOUTHPORT 1 ALFRETON 0. I think this goes down as an ugly win but a vital one if ever there was one. We rode our luck but as we've said so often this season it's about putting the ball in the net and Micky Rae came up with a super strike to bring the points home. It was a nerve racking last 10 minutes which seemed to drag on forever but it was a win and that's what counts. I found it hard to believe some people were having a go at the ref, I thought he was one of the best we have seen at Haig Ave for a while. He could and perhaps should have booked a player from each side but he was trying to keep the game going and a few harsh words did the trick, I wish more refs were like him. I always laugh when people say a ref is rubbish just because he doesn't give your team everything? People continually knock the poor old refs, but with the exception of Mr Dowd, I don't think they have been that bad this season and even he only lost it in the face of brutality from Redditch. Barrow draw at home to Kettering (in front of a very impressive 2086 fans) which puts qualification for the play offs back in our own hands. Our gate of 757 is our lowest of the season. Burscough beat Workington 1-0. 13 Apr PREDICTION COMPETITION UPDATED and it is now a tie. I hadn't really given any thought to what I'd do in the event of a tie so I hope it changes. 12 Apr Home v The Champions, Kettering 3pm. Hopefully Kettering will bring a few to keep the gate around the 1000 mark. SOUTHPORT 0 KETTERING TOWN 1 A goal after 64 minutes by Anthony Robinson (Why did I promise him a DVD) condemns Brabs to a first match in charge defeat. A game that we dominated from start to finish but just lacked the killer ball and finishing touch. There certainly appeared to be more harmony in the team, we even had a team huddle before the start of the game! Kettering didn't look that bothered, why should they, but still we couldn't get a win at home which means it is 108 days since our home only followers saw us win. It's been an interesting week to say the least with lots going on off the field let's hope we can all move on in yet another chapter in the life of Southport Football Club. I've been tempted to write a lot this week but held back deliberately as there are enough people out there with their views on the events of the week. I'm disappointed in Dav's reaction to his dismissal and treatment of Haydn, it is totally uncalled for and his subsequent bleatings have been nothing but harmful from someone who says he is a fan of the club. 9 Apr Interesting looking at Tony Kempster's latest possible league make ups below, King's Lynn in the north with Worcester and REDDITCH in the south, now that would be a bonus not having to play Redditch again! There are of course lots of assumptions being used in these and not one new ground for me. King's Lynn is much further to travel than Worcester and Redditch mind you.
8 Apr Barrow's late goal against Workington puts them up to sixth and we drop to seventh. Leigh beat Burscough 2-1. Stafford and Droylsden are relegated and things are looking bleak for Halifax. Alty also look favourites for the drop having played more games than the others in the lower reaches. That is unless there are more off field shenanigans to save them again. 7 Apr Peter Davenport is sacked as manager and Gary Brabin takes over. I'd like to thank Dav for all he has done at the club and his support with the programme and giving me access to players etc. It has been apparent however that over the last few weeks all has not been well and it came as no surprise to me when I heard the news. People may question the timing but the right decision has been made in my view if only for the possibility of us still getting in the play offs! 6 Apr Goal scoring hero Tony Gray is 24 today. Interesting goalkeeping stat (well I think it is) Whiteside Played 20 Conceded 19, Smith Played 2 Conceded 3, Drench Played 15 Conceded 26. Also I think I am right in saying that since Drench arrived we have conceded 6 pens in league games having not conceded any prior to his arrival. Not sure what to make of this but the defence has stayed pretty much the same in the same period. Nothing changes. "Bob Dave Bacon" is making a fool of himself on the Conf North Forum yet again. Get the facts right before you try and tell the world what you know Mr Bacon. PREDICTION COMPETITION UPDATED-Barrow's surge up the table has brought about a few changes at the top and if they go sixth on Tuesday it will change even more as we will drop to seventh and that will impact on quite a few scores. 5 Apr Away Solihull Moors. SOLIHULL MOORS 4 SOUTHPORT 1-What was that all about today?! Hammered by a team in 18th place who could only field 2 subs and who could only muster 170 home fans. Incorrect team selection, Paul Barrett only sub then subbed after one mistake and replaced by a totally ineffective Rodney Jack who I am sure has gained weight since he came rather than lost any! Tony Gray again ends the game playing wide right. There can be no excuses today, simply not good enough. I commented at 2.30 that all didn't look well, the usual buzz about the players wasn't there and everyone seemed incredibly flat. Paul Barrett's substitution was bizarre, he looked the most capable player on the pitch, admittedly he was at fault for the third goal but Matt Hocking was at fault for the first and wasn't subbed? The only bright spot for me as a statto is Tony Gray now holding the club scoring record for goals in successive league games beating the record held jointly by Phil Ashworth from our Football League days and Steve Haw in Non League. Kettering are well deserved champions and have their best gate of the season whilst Burscough and Boston both have their lowest gates. Thankfully Nuneaton only draw but Barrow's incredible run continues and look to be a real danger. Could AFC Telford be about to blow it? We are still right in the mix but on today's showing we can forget about any play off chances and accept that the 26th April will be our last game of the season. 2 Apr Lancs Junior Cup Final Southport v Chorley at Leyland 7.45pm. CHORLEY 1 SOUTHPORT 4 Goals from Tony Gray with two, Michael Powell and a Mark Duffy penalty. If only all games could be as straightforward as this. I don't think I have ever seen a side run so much as Chorley did in the first half hour but we commented that if they keep going at that rate they would be dead on their feet in the second half. The dead on their feet came earlier than predicted, they had gone after 40 minutes! Good game, good pitch, pleasant night and nice to win a pot. 1 Apr Some interesting voting going on in the end of season awards. It's going to be a close run thing in the Player Of The Year Award stakes with four players attracting an equal amount of votes at the moment, early days though. | |||||||||||||||||
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29 Apr Had an hour at the club taking a few photos and watching a bit of
training, the atmosphere was brilliant with every single player having a smile
on their face and thoroughly enjoying the session. Vibrant is the word I would
use!