MATCH REPORT FROM ALAN JONES SOU

STANDING ORDER FOR GOALDEN LOTTERY

MATCH REPORTS FROM ALAN JONES SOUTHPORT.GB.COM

AND RON ELLIS

The scenes as he wheeled away amid a wave of euphoria starkly resembled the last time Haig Avenue witnessed a Chris Lane wonder-strike.

Today’s celebrations won’t make the national headlines, nor, as was the case on a famous afternoon in November 2002, will they accompany the end titles to ‘Match of the Day’.

But, if not as legendary as the thunderbolt which nailed Notts County in the first round three-years ago, Lane’s most recent goal, the catalyst for more FA Cup visions of glory, was as equally sublime and unquestionably more decisive.

The outcome of victory in this competition is twofold. While news of the tie at home to Conference rivals Woking in the first round proper was met with feeling of anti-climax, it does present a genuine chance to further progress, albeit potentially troublesome as well. And the £10,000 winnings now banked, regardless of future cup results, could be invaluable in refurbishing a squad capable to compete at the top table of Non-League football.

When the Sandgrounders disposed of Notts County in front of the BBC cameras, they had to wait thirteen outings for their next victory to arrive amid a dramatic capitulation which culminated in relegation. Although that sensational collapse is sure not to be repeated this time, it is imperative that any additional luxuries do not detract from the fundamentals of Conference survival.

Whereas this was a much-welcomed victory for morale as well as the bank balance, there is little doubt the next contest between Southport and Kidderminster, at Haig Avenue on 28th January 2006, will be of much greater and enduring significance.

While manager Liam Watson shouldered the blame for a tactical alteration that he claims lost the Sandgrounders valuable points at Altrincham last weekend, he should take full credit for a substitution that today proved a masterstroke.

The decision to introduce winger Matthew McGinn in place of the ineffectual Neil Robinson transformed the course of a match which had previously materialised into a tedious stalemate.

After a dreary first-half, Southport resumed play buoyantly but the induction of McGinn on the hour injected an added thrust which ultimately overwhelmed their opponents.

Nine minutes after his arrival, McGinn’s presence paid instant dividends when a splendid left-wing centre teed-up Lane for his first goal since rejoining the Haig Avenue club.

As the ball floated across goal, Lane adjusted his body before sublimely executing a difficult ten-yard volley from an acute angle, which goalkeeper Daniel Lewis could not keep out.

Photo: Julia Urwin, www.southportfcstats.co.uk

The hosts had almost broken the deadlock on fifty minutes when an efficient counter-attack engineered by Dominic Morley resulted in Carl Baker’s close-range effort being deflected wide.

Steve Daly’s flying header from a Baker free-kick forced a superb reflex stop from ‘keeper Lewis, before McGinn’s inviting cross narrowly eluded Morley just moments after the wideman’s introduction.

Territorially deadlocked during the opening period, Kidderminster mustered the clearer openings although failed to exert any authority.

Daryl Burgess’ glancing header from a corner after just ten minutes whistled narrowly over, while Iyseden Christie poked wide when under pressure from goalkeeper Steve Dickinson after a perfect through-ball from Fleming.

But the threat of Christie, who has five goals for Kidderminster so far this season, was expertly nullified in the main by defender Earl Davis. The Sandgrounders’ centre-half continually thwarted the former Mansfield hitman, as he was consistently correct in his anticipation of challenges and his prevailing strength provided an impenetrable barrier.

Dickinson blocks Christie

Although Baker and Daly both threatened for the hosts on thirty-minutes, it was not until the second period when they triumphed with commendable quality.

After taking the lead, Southport continued to force the play, with Leadbetter shooting wide before Baker’s stinging shot was collected by goalkeeper Lewis.

Daly miscued on receiving a Davis knock-down from McGinn’s hanging cross, before Baker shot over.

While Harriers timidly threatened through Simon Heslop and substitute Lee Thompson, Southport remained the most likely to score and more smart goalkeeping from Lewis denied Lane his second after great link-up play with Baker.

Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Steve Dickinson, 19. Chris Lane, 6. Earl Davis, 4. Neil Fitzhenry, 16. Michael Powell, 5. Carl Baker, 10. Dominic Morley, 14. Kevin Lynch (2. Steve Pickford ’83), 11. Kevin Leadbetter (21. Robbie Booth ’87), 8. Neil Robinson (20. Matthew McGinn 58), 11. Steve Daly.
Unused Substitutes: 15. Jamie Speare, 12. Farrell Kilbane.

Referee: K. Evans

Attendance: 1,108

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

Southport will host Conference side Woking in the first round of the FA Cup, it was decided this evening. The tie will be played at Haig Avenue on Saturday 5th November

Baker shoots at goal

Supporters of Port Chat - a reminder of the week's off-field politics

SOUTHPORT 1 KIDDERMINSTER HARRIERS 0

by RON ELLIS

A great strike by Chris Lane, reminiscent of his famous cup goal against Notts County in the 2002 cup-tie, gave Southport a deserved victory over Kidderminster Harriers at Haig Avenue on Saturday to take them to the First Round Proper of the F.A. Cup on November 5^th.

For the first half, spectators were treated to forty five minutes of mind-numbing tedium. The visitors did most of the attacking but showed no cohesion and the prospect of them scoring seemed remote.

Gareth Sheldon was an early threat, forcing Steve Dickinson to save his cross shot after just five minutes and then seeing David Burgess head over from his corner.

Harriers had the greater possession in the half but created no real chances. Terry Fleming made a clever through pass to the hard-working Iyesden Christie but the forward wastefully stabbed it wide then a shot from Wayne Hatswell was saved by Dickinson at the second attempt.

On the re-start, Simon Russell had a couple of shots easily saved by Dickinson and the keeper dealt equally ably with a Wayne Hatswell effort.

As Southport had not had one shot on target so far, a 0-0 draw seemed the likely outcome but, in the 57^th minute, Liam Watson made one of his inspired substitutions which changed the game. bringing on Matty McGinn for Neil Robinson and moving Kevin Leadbetter up front.

Kidderminster manager, Stuart Watkiss said he thought his team dominated the first half and they only needed to up the tempo after the interval to win the match.

Unfortunately for him, it was his opponemts who upped the tempo and the transformation was dramatic. Only the agility of keeper Daniel Lewis saved an immediate goal when he cut out a cross from Carl Baker destined for Kevin Lynch after the England international’s good run down the right.

The Port were now pulverising the visitors’ goal. On the hour, a free kick from Baker was deflected into Steve Daly’s path right in front of goal and only a superb point-blank save by Lewis prevented Daly’s header from crossing the line. Daly had another shot saved by Lewis a minute later but, in the 69^th minute, the inevitable goal arrived.

Leadbetter robbed the ball from a defender and set it up for McGinn. His cross was met first time inside the box by Chris Lane who volleyed it spectacularly from ten yards, watching it bounce over Lewis into the top corner of the net. Lane’s ecstatic reaction showed how much his first goal since rejoining the club meant to him.

The home side continued to press and Kevin Lynch and Carl Baker both had shots saved by the busy Harriers keeper. In the 81^st minute, Baker might have settled it when he headed over from a McGinn cross and Lane had a blistering shot beaten out by Lewis five minutes from time.

By now, Kidderminster were a spent force and the home side were still looking for a second goal when the three minutes of added time came to a close and The Harriers’ accountants, who were said to have budgeted for a win, were forced to go home to revise their estimates.

Liam Watson, was delighted with the result. ‘I felt we held our own in the first half and when Matty came on, I moved things around. With Leadbetter up front we had more penetration and everything came alive.’ He added that he felt Robinson was feeling the effects of his long lay-off after injury.

‘We want a home tie first and foremost on November 5th,’ chairman Charlie Clapham told me before the draw was made and his wish was granted when Woking were pulled out of the hat after Southport.

‘Not a tie either of us would have wanted,’ said Liam Watson who admitted that he was friendly with the Surrey side’s manager, Glen Cockerill. ‘One of us will go out but it’s a winnable tie for both of us and we both know it. But I would say that Woking and Gravesend are the best two sides we’ve played this season.’

This Saturday, Southport entertain the league leaders, Grays Athletic, who might be described in financial terms as the Chelsea of the Conference.

SOUTHPORT Dickinson Lane Powell Davis Fitzhenry Baker Lynch (Pickford 83) Morley Leadbetter (Booth 87) Daly Robinson (McGinn 57)

ATTENDANCE 1108 REFEREE Mr Karl Evans MAN OF MATCH Chris Lane

Star Rating ***