|
| |
MATCH REPORT FROM ALAN JONES
SOUTHPORT.GB.COM
SCARBOROUGH 0 SOUTHPORT 1
As far as strikes go, it probably won’t win
goal of the month.
But in terms of significance, Kevin Leadbetter’s twenty-seventh minute winner at
Scarborough could prove to be the turning point in Southport’s season.
With a performance of tenacity, determination and solidarity, the Sandgrounders
banished a host of despised statistics to record their first away victory in the
Conference since Lee Mulvaney – now at Skelmersdale United – bagged a hat-trick
at Halifax in March 2003.
Southport’s last clean sheet in non-league’s top-flight was even further back in
the record books. Two years, eleven months and twenty-seven days later, their
most recent shutout was indebted to two protagonists in particular.
The first, goalkeeper Steve Dickinson, has saved his side on more occasions than
can be counted. At 32, Dickinson, a steadfast stalwart in most of his 251
appearances, was restored between the posts after a two game absence and showed
exactly why his position as the Sandgrounders’ number-one should never have been
questioned.
The other, 19-year old Michael Powell, is a name that won’t be as familiar.
After starring for the reserves in midfield and performing at right-back in
cameos, it was the job of the former Preston trainee to function as a make-shift
central defender and thwart a side who’d bagged seven times in their previous
four home outings.
How effectively did Powell fill the void vacated by messrs Fitzhenry and Davis?
Let’s just say that we’ll certainly be seeing plenty more of this potential Haig
Avenue star as the season progresses. The calculated decision of manager Liam
Watson expose Powell to the rigours of the Conference must be applauded. And the
impenetrable performance of his latest protégée is testament to the youngster’s
maturity and capability.
Another of Watson’s youngsters, Matthew McGinn, also recorded an accomplished
outing during his second successive start in a midfield three. McGinn, who had
attracted attention from the Football League while at Runcorn, diligently helped
to break-up play and was also active in much of the visitors’ offensive
movement.
The fact that the Southport squad, missing striker Neil Robinson and midfielder
Dominic Krief as well as their two key centre-halves, was so depleted that
reserve rookie Ian Kearney was promoted to the bench for the first time adds
further credence to a hugely impressive first win in five attempts.
It was not an immaculate, over-powering victory, nor the most bullish
performance registered so far. In fact, for long periods during the second half,
the Sandgrounders had to dig deeper than in previous matches to date. But with
eleven points to their name and currently lying sixteenth, can Southport now use
this as a platform to kick-start their Conference life? What a difference three
days makes.
Both Dickinson and Powell, vital cogs in the Sandgrounders’ rearguard also
played pivotal roles in crafting the only goal shortly before that half-hour.
Dickinson’s long free-kick was repelled by defender Foot, allowing Powell to
release Steve Daly on the left wing with a raking pass.
Daly veered towards the by-line before supplying an enticing centre on which
Kevin Leadbetter anticipated perfectly, scoring with a diving header.
Prior to the night’s solitary goal, Carl Baker twice went close for the visitors
in the opening ten minutes. Again prominent operating behind the front pairing,
he shot wide before having a close-range header scraped off the line.
Frontman Jake Speight was the man cause of any Southport unrest in the opening
period, firing over after some intricate approach play with Ian Clarke, before
teeing up veteran Neil Redfearn to blaze wide.
After the Sandgrounders broke the deadlock on twenty-seven minutes, both Baker
and Leadbetter had opportunities to increase their lead, only to miscue, before
Boro’s Speight, withdrawn prior to the interval, was left ruing some woeful
finishing.
Firstly Dickinson was quick off his line to foil the former Sheffield United
frontman, who later flashed across the face of goal after being put through by
Bishop.
Dominic Morley completed his fourth successive start since an early season knee
injury and was also instrumental in Southport’s effective rearguard action, but
to further compound manager Watson’s selection problems, skipper Steve Pickford
was forced to withdraw at half-time.
After the break, Ian Clark headed wide and substitute Mark Eccles shot over,
before Steve Daly came within inches of doubling the Sandgrounders’ advantage.
His deft touch after Leadbetter’s inswinging centre was magnificently repelled
by ‘keeper Leigh Walker, who produced a low, instinctive stop diving to his
left.
But it was Walker’s opposite number, Steve Dickinson, who left the contest with
most of the plaudits after a hat-trick of late stops ensured Scarborough
obtained nothing from their last-gasp onslaught.
The Southport number-one, who had earlier received a splendid ovation from the
travelling fans, produced a fine reflex save to deny Neil Redfearn from close
range.
With ten minutes remaining, Dickinson was also on hand to palm aside Ian Clark’s
effort, before a well anticipated stop in added time from Michael Coulson
ensured no return for the hosts.
Southport.gb.com Match Facts:
Southport: (4-3-1-2) 1. Steve Dickinson, 19. Chris Lane, 12. Farrell
Kilbane, 16. Michael Powell, 3. Jerome Fitzgerald, 2. Steve Pickford (14. Kevin
Lynch ’46), 10. Dominic Morley, 20. Matthew McGinn, 5. Carl Baker (21. Robbie
Booth ’82), 7. Kevin Leadbetter, 11. Steve Daly (9. Terry Fearns ’88).
Unused Substitutes: 15. Jamie Speare, 23. Ian Kearney.
Referee: J. Waugh
Attendance: 1,280
Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 20. Matthew McGinn
Final Score: Scarborough 0, Southport 1
Possession: Scarborough 47%, Southport 53%
Shots on Target: Scarborough 4, Southport 5
Shots off Target: Scarborough 13, Southport 3
Corners: Scarborough 9, Southport 2
Fouls Committed: Scarborough 8, Southport 8
Bookings: Scarborough 0, Southport 1
Sent-Off: Scarborough 0, Southport 0
|
