An exciting game saw Southport and visitors Gravesend & Northfleet share the points and four goals apiece, all in the first half.

However, it may be the visitors who return home wondering how they were not victorious.

The torrential rain of the morning did not appear to affect the pitch as both sides tried to play the ball about swiftly.



Both sides looked tentative, weighing each other up early on but the first strike came on 11 minutes when Mark DaBolla took a quick free kick 20 yards out.

Before ‘Port goalkeeper Paul Harrison was ready, the ball was flying past him for the opening goal. Southport struggled to get their passing game going and a lack of coherency flawed their efforts.

Their leveller came in breathtaking fashion as skipper Boyd scored his second of the week with a sweetly struck free kick from distance.


Boyd lines-up his strike


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Team celebrate

The ‘Port then laboured on but Gravesend had some glorious chances before finally retaking the lead on 37 minutes. McCarthy thought he had scored with a towering header from a corner but the linesman ruled the ball had gone out before re-entering play.

Then, a misplaced pass from Rowland allowed McDonald to be one-on-one with Harrison but his shot hit the angle of post and bar. Luke Moore made no mistake when he was clear through a minute later though. He drew Harrison out before neatly tucking the ball beneath the onrushing keeper from 10 yards out.

The ‘Port keeper then made a stunning reflex save to divert a speculative effort round his right post while scrambling back after heading clear. This let-off gave the Yellows fresh impetus and they soon equalised for the second time following their first real threat from open play.

Robbie Booth made an electrifying run beating defenders to cross from the right. The resulting half clearance fell kindly to Michael Powell who calmly placed the ball into the corner from the edge of the box for his first league goal.


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'Keeper and full-back left stranded

Unfortunately, soon after half-time his day became as gloomy as the skies above Haig Avenue when he received his second booking and was promptly dismissed for his third rash tackle of the afternoon.

Gravesend pushed to regain their lead but to no avail. Unsuccessful efforts from distance, another disallowed goal – this time for a foul on Rowland and a great double save saw to that. After losing Powell, Southport rallied and pressured the visitors goal with sub Tony Gray on debut going close to opening his Conference account.

Liam Blakeman was instrumental for the Yellows, as was full-back Hoolickin, and both had chances to claim the 3 points for Southport but a draw left the Haig Avenue faithful happy considering the superior football was played by Gravesend who looked sharper than the home side who surrendered possession far too easily.

(Southport 2 - 2 Gravesend and Northfleet)
By Andy Cochrane

* Match photos contributed to by Angie, sgb forum member slarti. More of her pictures can be viewed here.








Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-4-2) 21. Paul Harrison, 2. Chris Lane, 15. Stephen Rowland, 5. Kevin Lee, 3. Lee Hoolickin, 4. Michael Powell, 6. Mark Boyd, 8. Liam Blakeman, 11. James Olsen (20. Sean Clancy ’81), 16. Paul Martin (Tony Gray ’54), 14. Robbie Booth (7. Carl Baker ’70)
Unused Substitutes: 12. John Bagnall, 23. Francis Barry.

Referee: R. Wrigglesworth

Attendance: 861

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 2. Paul Harrison

Final Score: Southport 2, Gravesend & Northfleet 2
Shots on Target: Southport 3, Gravesend & Northfleet 9
Shots off Target: Southport 5, Gravesend & Northfleet 10
Corners: Southport 2, Gravesend & Northfleet 8
Fouls Committed: Southport 13, Gravesend & Northfleet 16
Bookings: Southport 2, Gravesend & Northfleet 1
Sent-Off: Southport 1, Gravesend & Northfleet 0



Gravesend celebrate their first goal


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Greavesend bench celebrate




Michael Powell sent off