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Southport’s frail disposition deteriorated further after
tumbling miserably at the first hurdle of the Liverpool
Senior Cup against Burscough.
An experienced Sandgrounders side, featuring debutants
Michael Stringfellow and Lee Grant succumbed abominably,
leaving supporters with little optimism at which to grasp
ahead of their relegation showdown against Scarborough at
the weekend.
The Nationwide Conference side almost conceded within the
opening minute, but David Rowan failed to profit upon a
misplaced back pass from Mark Roberts. Linnets’ frontman
Tony Gray shot wide before Rowan was again denied, this time
forcing a commendable save from goalkeeper Jamie Speare.
With newcomer Grant, who signed prior to kick-off, deployed
at left-back, the Sandgrounders were defensively rocky
throughout – allowing the UniBond Premier League outfit to
take full advantage through former ‘Port midfielder Liam
Blakeman.
On twenty-one minutes, Blakeman, recently touted by League
Two side Bury, capitalised on another slip from defender
Roberts before sliding the ball past Speare with much
aplomb.
Despite mustering a provisional response through Leadbetter
and Rogan, Southport conceded a second goal ten minutes
later. After livewire Rowan had headed wide, Blakeman
doubled his personal tally by executing a scorching finish
from inside the area.
Carl Baker could only find goalkeeper Boswell and Rogan
ballooned high as the Sandgrounders broke out of their
shell, but within two minutes of the re-start, found
themselves three goals behind.
Tormentor-in-chief Blakeman received a dreadfully miscued
clearance from goalkeeper Speare, before playing in Gray
with an excellent through ball, who finished coolly from a
tight angle.
Following a triple substitution, Southport developed into
more as a prominent force with efforts from McGinn and Rogan
foiled by ‘keeper Boswell, but only a fine reflex save from
Speare prevented the Conference side from suffering further
ignominy, finger-tipping Gray’s deflected free-kick over the
bar.
The Sandgrounders produced a mere consolation with fifteen
minutes remaining as Chris Lane looped a header over the
stranded Boswell following Matthew McGinn’s well-delivered
cross, but was not enough to prevent manager Watson again
leaving with much to ponder.
Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Jamie Speare, 2. Chris Lane, 3.
Lee Grant (16. Robbie Booth ‘58), 4. Mark Roberts, 5. Neil
Fitzhenry, 6. Dominic Morley, 7. Carl Baker (15. Matthew
McGinn ’58), 8. Steve Pickford (12. Jerome Fitzgerald ’58),
9. Nick Rogan, 10. Michael Stringfellow, 11. Kevin
Leadbetter
Unused Substitutes: 14. Michael Powell, 17. Steve Dickinson
Referee: G. Cain
Attendance: 224
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