An electrifying opening half display saw Southport net three goals against Crawley Town to claim their first home victory of the campaign.

An outstanding performance from striker Dino Maamria saw him score two after creating the opener for Alex Smith and although the visitors replied with several opportunities in the second period, Paul Cook’s side deserved their win.

The Sandgrounders were a joy to watch, producing some breathtaking football - most definitely their finest 45 minutes of the season - and with the rare luxury of virtually a full squad from which to select, Southport now have a platform to build on in future outings. On Tuesday night, they travel to Kidderminster Harriers, before a match at promotion contenders York City.


1-0


Southport celebrate

Smith, on his first start for five matches, converted the home side’s first with 4 minutes played after strong play from Maamria released the influential midfielder who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Ben Hamer from inside the box.

Midfielder Lee Hoolickin should have added a second shortly after, but failed to make contact with a pin-point cross from Maamria. Lee Blackburn shot narrowly over for Crawley and Dannie Bluman saw an effort saved from keeper Ryan Robinson after marching unchallenged through the Southport midfield.

Maamria himself has been unavailable for a handful of fixtures and his impact was there for all to see. He doubled the scoring on 20 minutes to finish a well-worked move featuring Hoolickin, Mark Boyd and Liam Blakeman by firing a fierce shot past Hamer at his near post.


2-0


Delight for directors and fans alike

Keeper Robinson blocked a shot from Crawley striker Jake Edwards, while Boyd had a fierce 20-yard effort tipped over by Hamer at the other end, before Southport added a third in added time at the end of the first half. Maamria was clumsily pulled to the ground by defender David Woozley, allowing the Port striker to convert a firmly-struck penalty and send Hamer the wrong way.

Crawley were in desperate need of implementing changes and a double substitution at the break as well as an alteration in formation brought a more productive second half showing. Ben Strevens shot at Robinson after a pull-back from Tony Scully, before Strevens scored with 63 minutes gone by heading home Scully’s cross from inside the area.

Southport responded immediately when Lee Hoolickin hit a 25-yard shot against the upright, and the Yellows midfielder should have done better when dragging a shot glaringly across goal following good play from Mark Boyd.


Boyd is denied by Ben Hamer



The majority of the chances, however, belonged to the side from Sussex and Lee Blackburn shot over before Scully worked Robinson into action on 69 minutes. Substitute David Rendell was denied by a fine low save from Robinson when through on goal, while Strevens headed wide when unmarked from a Scully corner.

Robinson recovered well to save again from substitute Jack Macleod on 80 minutes after fumbling a corner and Edwards shot wide, but as the visitors failed to convert, their opponents had the final opportunity as keeper Hamer saved from Tony Gray after a weaving run.

By Andy Cochrane
(Southport 3 - 1 Crawley Town - Southport.gb.com)


Kevin Lee challenges for an aerial ball




Southport defenders Kevin Lee and Stephen Rowland

Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-5-1) 1. Ryan Robinson, 2. Chris Lane, 15. Stephen Rowland, 5. Kevin Lee, 20. Sean Clancy, 7. Carl Baker (14. Robbie Booth ’63), 6. Mark Boyd, 8. Liam Blakeman (4. Michael Powell ’50), 17. Alex Smith, 3. Lee Hoolickin, 10. Dino Maamria (9. Tony Gray ’84).
Unused Substitutes: 21. Paul Harrison, 28. Mike Marsh.

Referee: C. Harwood

Attendance: 1,025

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 10. Dino Maamria

Final Score: Southport 3, Crawley Town 1
Possession: Southport 41%, Crawley Town 59%
Shots on Target: Southport 5, Crawley Town 7
Shots off Target: Southport 3, Crawley Town 8
Corners: Southport 10, Crawley Town 9
Fouls Committed: Southport 9, Crawley Town 11
Bookings: Southport 3, Crawley Town 2
Sent-Off: Southport 0, Crawley Town 0






Silence in memory of Matt Gadsby, the Hinckley United defender, who tragically died at Harrogate last weekend