SOUTHPORT 1 WOKING 1

On an afternoon in which five FA Cup first round goals were scored after the regulatory ninety-minutes had elapsed, the Law of averages ensured at least one stoppage-time strike would be cruelly denied.

Had Colchester United been content to settle for eight in their drubbing of Leamington, or if nine miles from Haig Avenue, a shot from Burscough substitute David Rowan was not deflected goalwards, then luck may have shone more favorably on Southport and striker Kevin Leadbetter.

With the two concluding minutes of added time extended due to an unsavory scuffle deep in the Sandgrounders’ half; goalkeeper Steve Dickinson retrieved the ball after a wasteful Woking free-kick. His last-gasp punt was latched onto by Carl Baker who, after roaring towards the byline, delivered a pinpoint centre, only for Leadbetter’s fierce drive from fourteen-yards to cannon agonisingly off the crossbar.

As the vibrant terraces cried in anguish, the heart of Baker, who had instigated his side’s equaliser half an hour earlier, must have plummeted excruciatingly. The resultant replay at Kingfield a week on Tuesday means the ‘Port attacker, whose endeavor was again a prominent feature in Southport’s play, is harshly denied a deserved opportunity to represent his country at non-league level in Belgium on the same evening. The truism exalting the FA Cup’s captivating magic materialised immediately into one bemoaning the cruel, cruel nature of the game never without drama.

Twelve months ago and at the same stage of this prestigious competition, Hereford United, eighth in the Conference, strutted past Southport, the Nationwide North Champions-elect, without changing from second gear. Although the Sandgrounders currently find themselves locked in a hostile battle to avoid an immediate return to the anonymity of the feeder-leagues, it is testament to the progression, during a confined period, of their young, bristling squad, that they end unfortunate to have been denied immediate progression to the cup’s second round against a Woking team presently eighth in non-league’s top tie and void of defeat in eleven outings.

In terms of goals, this all-Conference tie may have failed to match previous contests between the two sides and although the Haig Avenue crowd were deprived of their customary scoring blitz, this was an entertaining spectacle during which both teams displayed an admirable desire to attack. A gusty wind concurrent with bouts of swirling rain added a curious element of unpredictability to a match that left both sides content although not totally satisfied.

Southport, just two points adrift from the foot of the Nationwide Conference, remain something of a conundrum. Continually pernickety, Liam Watson’s side recurrently await a moment to ignite their confidence and form an added thrust.

Against Kidderminster Harriers a fortnight ago, it took fifty minutes for the Sandgrounders to realise they could force proceedings and do posses the ability to challenge teams of a superior standing. This afternoon, while content with largely bossing play, it wasn’t until Kevin Leadbetter equalised shortly after the hour that the hosts found the belief to thoroughly ruffle their opponents and mere pot-shots turned into inquisitive probes.

Although Southport created openings, which at times were exquisite, any attempt to properly penetrate the Woking rearguard was merely provisional. Central defenders Stuart Nethercott and Luke Oliver were imposing characters and despite comfortably nullifying all threats during the opening period, they became nervously jittery once the Sandgrounders were roused.

While Jerome Fitzgerald and Matthew McGinn - additions to the side from last weekend’s defeat - were defensively culpable, they merged on several occasions to form an effective outlet from the left flank. Both have the ability to produce inviting crosses and were unfortunate on several occasions that nothing materialised from some intelligent play.

Steve Daly’s header from a McGinn centre was blocked by Nethercott, before Kevin Leadbetter had a firm shot saved by goalkeeper Shwan Jalal, after Steve Daly cleverly flicked-on Neil Fitzhenry’s long-ball.

Skipper Dominic Morley and striker Daly both saw efforts creep wide and while Carl Baker almost capitalised on hesitancy from ‘keeper Jalal, any threat was not withstanding.

Having previously threatened just once, Woking took the lead on thirty-two minutes after a surging run from the impressive Craig McAllister exposed the Sandgrounders’ left-sided frailties. And his pull-back from the byline knocked on by Karl Murray, allowing Steve Evans Steve Evans to stroke home from close range.

On fifty minutes, an opportunist volley from Baker flashed wide for the hosts and Leadbetter’s effort was rebuffed Oliver, before goalkeeper Dickinson was alert to foil Steve Ferguson prior to the hour.

The hosts restored equilibrium on sixty-four minutes with a piece of well-engineered clinical counter-punching. Leadbetter gambled on Baker’s incisive centre, sliding the ball beyond goalkeeper Jalal whose indecision was profited on.

Vigorous, dynamic and fuelled with a renewed belief, Southport’s confidence was transferred into some intense offensive play upon which they should have capitalised.

Baker, McGinn and substitute Neil Robinson were all denied by desperate defending before Leadbetter’s last-gasp strike painfully rattled the crossbar.

(Alan Jones)

Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Steve Dickinson, 16. Michael Powell, 6. Earl Davis, 4. Neil Fitzhenry, 3. Jerome Fitzgerald, 5. Carl Baker, 10. Dominic Morley 14. Kevin Lynch (21. Robbie Booth ’66), 20. Matthew McGinn, 7. Kevin Leadbetter, 11. Steve Daly (8. Neil Robinson ’80).
Unused Substitutes: 15. Jamie Speare, 12. Farrell Kilbane, 18. Dominic Krief

Referee: R. Lewis

Attendance: 1,413

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 7. Kevin Leadbetter

Final Score: Southport 1, Woking 1
Possession: Southport 53%, Woking 47%
Shots on Target: Southport 5, Woking 2
Shots off Target: Southport 11, Woking 1
Corners: Southport 7, Woking 1
Fouls Committed: Southport 11, Woking 11
Bookings: Southport 2, Woking 3
Sent-Off: Southport 0, Woking 0

Pictured is Chris Lane, whose gash above his eye prevented him from playing this afternoon

* The replay between Southport and Woking will take place at Kingfield on Tuesday 15th November 2005, kick-off 7.45pm. The Sandgrounders’ United Co-operative Challenge Trophy originally scheduled for this date is now postponed and subject to further confirmation.

SOUTHPORT 1 WOKING 1

by RON ELLIS

Southport drew 1-1 with Woking in a stirring old-fashioned cup-tie at Haig Avenue on Saturday but they have a great incentive to win the replayas the reward will be a home draw against old local rivals and Conference North leaders, Northwich Victoria.

The Sandgrounders can consider themselves unfortunate not to have gone through at the first attempt but Kevin Ledbetter’s last minute goal-bound strike was touched onto the crossbar by Shwan Jalal who, until then, had had an undistinguished match.

Carl Baker and Earl Davis are particularly unlucky as the draw means they will miss playing for the England semi-pro team in Belgium as the match falls on Tuesday Nov 15th, the same date as the replay. And a double whammy for Davis is that he will miss next Satuday’s match against Crawley after picking up a yellow card.

Southport had the better of the early stages, their short passing style getting them into scoring positions. Sadly, they failed to convert them. In the 9th minute, Kevin Leadbetter dispossessed Luke Oliver in the box only to see his right foot shot saved by Shwan Jalal. Carl Baker made a run on the right and crossed for Dominic Morley, Southport’s midfield orchestrator, to shoot narrowly over from 25 yards.

When Jalal lost control of the ball outside his area in the 16th minute, Baker chanced a 30-yard effort that missed the post. Matty McGinn and Baker both tried long-range shots as the players found it difficult to keep their feet on the slippery pitch and the Woking defence were staring to panic.

All that changed, however, on the half hour. Steve Ferguson set of on a run along the right wing, beat two defenders and crossed to Carl Murray in the box. Challenged by Steve Dickinson, Murray allowed the ball to run past him and Steve Evans was standing by the far post to smash it into the top corner.

The Cards’ confidence blossomed with the goal but they were unable to increase their lead and Leadbetter nearly equalised with a header from Daly’s cross just before half time.

As the second half started and more rain fell, the game became scrappy but in the 64th minute, The Port drew level. Carl Baker started the move, cleverly collecting a cross-field pass and immediately flighting the ball into the goalmouth where Leadbetter took advantage of the keeper’s hesitancy to slide the ball over the line.

Dickinson saved more long-range shots from Neil Smith and Ferguson as both teams strove for the winner. Woking thought they had it in the 87th minute when Justin Richards broke free on the left but Jerome Fitzgerand came racing across and his tackle sent Richards crashing into the hoarding. Immediately, the Woking players gathered round, the officials raced across to prevent a fracas as both benches ran onto the pitch. In the end, Fitzgerald was booked for the tackle and Richards and Earl Davis received yellow cards for squaring up and calm was restored.

When play restarted, Southport had one last attack and Leadbetter’s fierce shot looked to have won the game until Jalal rose to tip it onto the crossbar to safety.

The Yellows must now turn their attention to next Saturday and a vital match at fellow-strugglers, managerless Crawley Town who lie 21st in the Conference table, only two points worse off than Southport. This is another ‘must win’ match for The Yellows if they want to avoid being drawn into a relegation struggle.

LIAM WATSON TALKS TO RON ELLIS

I thought we should have won the game comfortably. We had enough chances to win two games. I felt Kevin deserved that last minute winner, as he’d had so many goal attempts, but their keeper made a great save. We weren’t seriously troubled all afternoon. As for their goal, that was 100% offside. Their man was standing on the line. I’m not frightened of going to Woking. When we went there in September, it took them 88 minutes to break us down and I’m sure they’ll agree we’ve improved a lot since then. We have every chance of winning the replay.’

Watson said he didn’t want to comment about the cup draw until he was sure his team had got through at Woking but he did admit that Northwich would be no easy option.
‘I don’t think they’ll walk away with their league but I do think they’ll win it. They are a good side. Having said that, we are at home, it’s a winnable tie, so what more can we ask for? But first we must get Woking out of the way and it’s not going to be easy travelling down there on a Tuesday night after the long trip to Crawley just three days before. I imagine most of the squad will feature at some time during the two matches.’

SOUTHPORT Dickinson Powell Fitzgerald Davis Fitzhenry Baker Morley Lynch(Booth 66) MccGinn Daly (Robinson 79) Leadbetter Subs not used Speare Kilbane Krief

ATTENDANCE 1417 REFEREE Mr Robert Lewis MAN OF MATCH Kevin Leadbetter

STAR RATING ****