He could have basked in the personal glory of scoring twice to become his side’s joint leading scorer this season. He may even have enquired as to whether his opening goal, timed at just nine seconds, was the fastest recorded in Southport’s 124-year history.

But, much to the astonishment of all, the impulsive act of Carl Baker once inside the home dressing room was to apologise. With the Sandgrounders already leading courtesy of his brace of goals, had the 22-year old man of the match converted a penalty with thirty minutes remaining, it probably would have been game over.

Instead, Southport failed to record successive victories in four days – despite engineering the opportunities to do so – after succumbing to a late goal, this time an equaliser from Craig Westcarr after eighty-three minutes.





In the more recent past, Haig Avenue has played host to numerous players content with the personal accolade of scoring, regardless of the final outcome. Contrastingly, it is testament to manager Liam Watson, by whom it is epitomized fully, that his current class bristle with a refreshing honesty and communal desire to succeed.

Two years ago to the day, Southport were managerless, directionless and languishing ninth in the Northern Premier League. Thus, it is tribute to how radically the Sandgrounders have progressed that they end discontented after obtaining a solitary point against a side playing League football five months ago.

Moreover, it is further evidence to the present playing standard of football in the Conference that Bryan Flynn, the head coach of the Welsh under-21 side, was in attendance assessing Cambridge defender Adam Davies. And although the Southport management, especially amid their current scarcity of players, may not wish to think so, it is no knee-jerk assumption to suggest that more spies assigned from big-name sides will flock to Haig Avenue if Baker can continue his current vein of rich form.

Possessing tremendous manipulation of the ball, threatening pace, a clinical instinct and confidence which currently appears unbridled, Baker was again the hosts’ most prominent outlet and now seems to have found the consistency that had previously eluded him.

And he showed excellent awareness and anticipation within an instant of the referee Nolan’s first whistle, to launch the Sandgrounders into a quick-fire lead.

With eager thinking, Kevin Leadbetter robbed defender Mark Peters, before his curling 20-yard effort was parried by goalkeeper Scott Howie into the path of the onrushing Baker, who out-ran Richie Hanlon to slide home from four-yards.

Although official endorsement remains unconfirmed, it is expected that Baker’s strike will be approved as Southport’s quickest-ever goal.





But no sooner had the statisticians dusted down their record books, than Cambridge were level amid defending that will not warrant any special notes.

Chris Lane failed to failed to eradicate Courtney Pitt, whose enticing fourth minute left-wing centre was met by the downward header of Fola Onibuje, the 6’7’’ Nigerian striker, who converted at the back post.



The hosts seemed determined to add to a frantic opening, as goalkeeper Howie, who was nervy throughout, turned aside Leadbetter’s effort from range, before fumbling Steve Daly’s tame header, with the rebound narrowly evading Carl Baker.

Goalscorer Onibuje flashed across the face of goal for the visitors, before Southport’s Kevin Lynch shot over after persistent play from McGinn and Adam Davies scraped off the line after Baker’s corner was met by a bullet header from Daly.

Referee Nolan ignored Southport defender Jerome Fitzgerald’s apparent hand-ball inside his own area, before United were denied the lead when a fierce shot from youngster Dave Bridges – prominent in braking from midfield - was smartly held by Steve Dickinson.


Baker goes close

The hosts’ advantage was restored five minutes after the interval, emanating from Mark Peters’ sloppy clearance. Lynch provided an incisive pass to Baker, whose angled effort from ten-yards glided past goalkeeper Howie.

And when Leadbetter was adjudged to have been tugged in the area by Nick Robins on his way to meet McGinn’s far-post pass, starman Baker was given the perfect opportunity to register his first Southport hat-trick.

But uncharacteristically, he fluffed, firing to the left of Howie, at a comfortable height for the goalkeeper to palm aside.



After Lynch, Daly and Leadbetter all misses reasonable opportunities, Cambridge gained the impetus and after another spot-kick claim was rebuffed, Courtney Pitt whistled inches wide.

Pitt again had the opportunity to draw United level, but was denied by a superb point-blank stop from Steve Dickinson, who dived low to his right, when the shot from four-yards appeared bound for the net.



But the hosts eventually yielded with seven minutes remaining amid a torrent of pressure from their opponents. After smart play involving substitute Paul Atkins and Parys Okai, Craig Westcarr expertly turned Michael Powell, before converting with a low ten-yard drive.

Steve Daly could have given Southport a third lead in stoppage time, but after chances for Atkins and Westcarr at the other end, both ended content.

Although the majority of players on the field were not born the last time these sides last locked horns, habits from previous encounters have remained. This was the seventh stalemate in the thirteen matches between Southport and Cambridge, who remain separated in the league standings by just three goals.



Kevin Lynch tangles with Cambridge's Dave Bridges

Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Steve Dickinson, 19. Chris Lane, 12. Farrell Kilbane, 16. Michael Powell, 3. Jerome Fitzgerald, 10. Dominic Morley, 14. Kevin Lynch (21. Robbie Booth ’88), 20. Matthew McGinn (24. Tom Field), 5. Carl Baker, 7. Kevin Leadbetter, 11. Steve Daly.
Unused Substitutes: 15. Jamie Speare, 9. Terry Fearns, 23. Ian Kearney.

Referee: I. Nolan

Attendance: 1,204

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 5. Carl Baker

Final Score: Southport 2, Cambridge 2
Possession: Southport 46%, Cambridge 54%
Shots on Target: Southport 8, Cambridge 8
Shots off Target: Southport 8, Cambridge 7
Corners: Southport 8, Cambridge 4
Fouls Committed: Southport 12, Cambridge 10
Bookings: Southport 3, Cambridge 2
Sent-Off: Southport 0, Cambridge 0