Just like when they were blitzed by Grays Athletic in the early stages of last season, the one consolation for Southport is the hope that things can only get better.

But as was demonstrated so emphatically during the previous campaign, results of this nature can often trigger further decline before matters start to improve.

Eleven months ago, a four-goal collapse against an electrifying Essex outfit was the second instalment in a ten-match winless run for the Sandgrounders. Currently a point poorer than at the corresponding stage last term, Haig Avenue can only hope that such parallels are meaningless.





Having ensured Nationwide Conference survival on their last visit to the Recreation Ground, Southport’s most embarrassing stumble so far this season will again have many wondering whether the events since April have led to progression or regression.

By their manager’s own admission, the Sandgrounders are receiving rapid education about life at this level - and although there can sometimes be no disgrace in defeat against a side possessing the elegance and guile of Grays, such a depressingly one-sided contest suggests the coming months may be less comfortable than many would like.

Failing to register a shot of any description during an opening half in which they began with misleading promise, Southport were terrorised and ruthlessly taken apart. And while a low-key first sighting of Dino Maamria and Tony Gray as their strike-pairing was ended after the former sustained a burst vein in his arm, the Grays star duo of Aaron McLean and Michael Kightly were inexorable.





Given the verve and efficiency they displayed during victory at Haig Avenue last October, the vast majority expected Athletic to comfortably secure promotion to the Football League. But having scuppered their chances by unexpectedly floundering before faltering in the play-offs, the buoyant Blues surely won’t make the same mistakes again.

Constantly threatening and always looking to design a clever opening, Frank Gray’s side now sit second in the league standings, with a joint-best sixteen goals scored and just three conceded.

Striker McLean began the rout on twenty minutes by heading into an unguarded net after Glenn Poole’s raking pass was misjudged by goalkeeper Paul Harrison having caused confusion in the Southport back-line.

And on the half-hour, Adam Green exploited weak defending from Kevin Lee to present the ex Aldershot Town frontman with an opportunity to stab home and take his tally to seven strikes in as many matches.

McLean attracted several admiring glances from potential suitors during the summer and if he can sustain this scintillating run of form, then someone will undoubtedly take a gamble on him.





Also destined for bigger and better things is 20-year old Michael Kightly, who enhanced a growing reputation by recording two assertive finishes. The attacking midfield player made it three on 41 minutes by converting confidently from inside the area to crown a slick move instigated by Cameron Mawer, featuring Glenn Poole and John Martin.

Three minutes before the end, Kightly further underlined his credentials to complete the scoring, executing a flash finish with perfect precision into the top corner from 18-yards.

Poole and the impressive Ashley Nicholls both had presentable opportunities for Grays during the opening period, while ‘keeper Harrison registered a series of decent stops to prevent the scoreline embarrassing the visitors further.

With two already conceded, he denied Dennis Oli, before thwarting Martin from close range following smart play from Poole after the resumption. Nicholls and substitute Lee Boylan were also repelled, while McLean and Poole failed to find the target.

Defender Lee headed over a Mark Boyd free-kick for Southport and the visiting captain also shot wide from range, but as Gray and Carl Baker also tried their luck, the nearest the Sandgrounders came to salvaging some respectability was on 75 minutes. A forceful run and smart pass from Gray released Liam Blakeman, who drew a finger-tip save from stopper Ashley Bayes after striding into the box.

(Grays Athletic 4 - 0 Southport - Southport.gb.com)







Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-4-2) 21. Paul Harrison, 2. Chris Lane, 5. Kevin Lee, 15. Stephen Rowland, 3. Lee Hoolickin, 14. Robbie Booth (16. Paul Martin ’52), 6. Mark Boyd, 8. Liam Blakeman, 11. James Olsen (7. Carl Baker ’72), 10. Dino Maamria (18. Mark Jackson ’53), 9. Tony Gray.
Unused Substitutes: 12. John Bagnall, 17. Alex Smith.

Referee: L. Hodgson

Attendance: 1,024

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 2. Chris Lane

Final Score: Grays Athletic 4, Southport 0
Possession: Grays Athletic 55%, Southport 45%
Shots on Target: Grays Athletic 4, Southport 0
Shots off Target: Grays Athletic 6, Southport 5
Corners: Grays Athletic 4, Southport 4
Fouls Committed: Grays Athletic 13, Southport 7
Bookings: Grays Athletic 1, Southport 1
Sent-Off: Grays Athletic 0, Southport 0