MATCH REPORT FROM SOUTHPORT

A blistering start to Friday night football at Haig Avenue saw a resilient and at times glorious Southport claim a valuable three points.
Their opponents it had to be said were defensively woeful, and it was really a wonder that the ‘Port only made the score-sheet three times.
In an inspired fifteen minute spell, the Sandgrounders took control of the match. First, the mercurial Carl Baker lashed a ninth minute thirty-yard drive in off the post.
Only seconds later the Southport playmaker volleyed in a thumping second. His fourth in two matches. Really wrapping his foot around the ball he sent it flying past the hapless Clarke in Forest Green’s goal.
The creative spark was at times in full flame for the Yellows as was demonstrated by Matty McGinn’s intricate dribbling and link up play with captain for the night Dom Morley in the build up for the second goal.
Unfortunately, defensive frailties were again demonstrated, even with the return of colossus Neil Fitzhenry. The concentration in the home back line slipped and a free-kick was conceded on the edge of the box.
Jon Beswetherick's crashing centre bounced off Steve Dickinson, who didn’t know much about it, for Jon Richardson to lash home from five yards.
However, the Port showcased their attacking abilities once more. A third Southport goal came after a forceful break out of midfield by Kevin Lynch. He tussled with Meechan after picking up a stray pass by Searle in the visitors defence, emerging to knock a delightfully weighted ball into the feet of the advancing Steve Daly.
The ‘Port talisman took a touch and calmly played the ball through the legs of Clarke to reaffirm the home sides dominance on proceedings.

Southport continued pressing and ran the Greens ragged. Daly should have done better when Bakers corner found him unmarked in the box, while Leadbetter blazed wildly wide when well placed.
Only moments later, Daly was clean in on goal only to step wide and be caught by defenders and the chance went.
A superb Gordon Banks-esque save from Clarke denied Daly of a second on the half hour.
Previously heckled by members of the home crowd after his uncertain opening, Clarke showed real class in that save.

Daly registers a header on target

His team quickly broke out to remind the joyful ‘Port supporters that they were not going to lie down and take defeat lightly. Only a superb saving tackle from Kilbane prevented the Portuguese striker Teixeira being one-on-one with Dickinson.
But the first half belonged to Southport. This was typified by clever tracking play and dogged resilience that saw Leadbetter steal the ball from left-back Simpson on the edge of his box.
The left-footed wonder followed that with an angled shot that Clarke ably palmed away.
Emerging after the break, Southport absorbed the pressure from Forest Green.
At times riding their luck, a strong call for a penalty was waved away by Yorkshire referee Short when it appeared that Farrell Kilbane had handled.
Also, the linesman’s flag saved the deficit being reduced to one, when Teixeira smashed home but to be ruled offside. Fans’ favourite Kilbane was then well placed to deflect a Meechan volley off the line.

Matty McGinn on the ball

Dickinson was called into action; most notably when lively marksman Abbey forced him to turn a rasping effort over the crossbar.
A flurry of late substitutes by both sides disrupted the flow of an ever increasing Forest Green advance and like against Cambridge, Southport dropped worryingly deep at times, almost suggesting that Forest Green should attack them. The ‘Port door held firm and even a well placed late free-kick from the cumbersome Wanless didn’t reach the net.
Only in fits and starts did the Yellows show their first half form in the closing stages but both Daly and Leadbetter could have given the home support more to shout about. Wasteful play by Lane on the right denied Leadbetter when free in the box and then he delivered but only for Daly to be out muscled by Simpson.
All in all though the ‘Port should be pleased with this performance and take the many positives that emerged from the night.
This result leaves Southport fifteenth in the table with the same number of points.
The closely fought middle ground of the Conference will be decided on matches like tonight’s and hopefully the signs are increasingly favorable for the men from Haig Avenue.
An ability to see out matches, previously lacking, should give a spring in their step as they move on to play Altrincham next week in what promises to be a cracking affair at Moss Lane.

Match photographs courtesy of Angie, SGB forum member Slarti

Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Steve Dickinson, 19. Chris Lane, 12. Farrell Kilbane, 16. Michael Powell, 4. Neil Fitzhenry, 14. Kevin Lynch (24. Tom Field ’87), 10. Dominic Morley, 20. Matthew McGinn, 5. Carl Baker, 7. Kevin Leadbetter (21. Robbie Booth ’85), 11. Steve Daly (22. Tony Evans ’90).
Unused Substitutes: 15. Jamie Speare, 6. Earl Davis.

Referee: M. Short

Attendance: 1,087

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 10. Dominic Morley

Final Score: Southport 3, Forest Green 1
Possession: Southport 54%, Forest Green 46%
Shots on Target: Southport 7, Forest Green 10
Shots off Target: Southport 7, Forest Green 4
Corners: Southport 8, Forest Green 6
Fouls Committed: Southport 13, Forest Green 10
Bookings: Southport 0, Forest Green 2
Sent-Off: Southport 0, Forest Green 0