Try telling Southport they’re not Conference quality. Heroic, tenacious and fuelled with character, the attributes that drove them to promotion last season once again have the Sandgrounders looking up.

With the ghost of their last condemnation looming large, supporters arrived in Hertfordshire fearing another Broadhall Way massacre. But in place of anxiety emerged unbridled delight and after witnessing an incredible penalty trilogy, fans embarked on the 200-mile journey home with a distinctly different outlook.

Undoubtedly among the season’s most stunning surprises, Stevenage Borough were humbled to only their second home defeat this term by a Southport side who had not tasted league victory since October. And boy, did they deserve it.





Packed with incident, this frenetic clash sparked a multitude of differing emotions and will doubtless live long in the memory. But only if the Sandgrounders consolidate upon a rare triumph will we know whether the obituaries require redrafting.

On the limited occasions when Southport have threatened to turn the corner this season, their momentum has been recurrently submerged, and with the Haig Avenue outfit now just three points adrift of safety, today’s result is a marker that must be pushed progressively forward.

If it does prove to be the catalyst behind a Southport revival, this victory will be etched onto the hearts of all in yellow as the spot-kick saga that moved even the most assured supporters to disbelief.



Supplying the fitting backdrop to a momentous afternoon, around seventy travellers, unified in supporting their club and its manager, chanted the name of Liam Watson throughout the second half, before affording the Sandgrounders a tremendous reception as they exited the arena.

And it was Watson’s latest acquisition, Liam Blakeman, who gave the hearty contingent most reason to cheer on an inspiring debut. Deployed in a productive midfield role, Blakeman was the focal point for much of ‘Port’s play, offering the artistry they have long been without.

Performing with much panache, the former Blackburn Rovers trainee exuded a confidence that transmitted throughout his Southport team-mates and on twenty-one minutes instigated the first instalment of penalty drama.

After being released by Steve Pickford, Blakeman showed great composure, before a surge into the box was ended abruptly by goalkeeper Alan Julian. Despite bagging the opening goal during ‘Port’s victory against Stevenage earlier in the campaign, Carl Baker was unable to convert the resultant spot-kick - crashing his effort against the crossbar.



Although this match may stand out because of a bizarre narrative, the peculiar penalty tale must not detract from an astute Southport showing and their fully deserved victory. In displaying a commendable desire to attack, the Sandgrounders proved they do possess the qualities capable of rejuvenating battered fortunes by causing continual problems for their more illustrious hosts. Blakeman had forced ‘keeper Julian into action before being upended, while Baker and Robinson both saw efforts narrowly miss the target.

Despite posing a more prominent threat as the half progressed, Stevenage, who began the day third in the Conference, asked relatively few questions of an obstinate Southport back-line and provoked much frustration among their support. Goalkeeper Steve Dickinson was on hand to deny Jon Nurse and Danny Williams, while Jefferson Louis headed over shortly before the break.

George Boyd tried his luck from distance to no avail and although Boro restarted brightly, it was the Sandgrounders who mustered the more notable openings. Carl Baker had a free-kick repelled by Julian before guiding a header against the post and when Earl Davis’ effort found the Stevenage goalkeeper, the visitors were contemplating a fruitless afternoon.

But shortly after the hour, Southport got the reward their endeavour deserved, when Neil Robinson was brought to the ground by Ronnie Henry as he bore down on goal. The Stevenage defender was dismissed and Robinson cooly dispatched the subsequent penalty, converting a low kick to ‘keeper Julian’s right.



As the hosts panicked into action, Dannie Bullman fired a free-kick over and Louis shot at Dickinson, but Stevenage, who soon became limited in their ideas, were almost caught on the counter when Leadbetter spurned an opportunity to avoid the ensuing anxiety.

The drama of a surreal afternoon climaxed with three minutes remaining as referee Michael Bull awarded his third penalty after adjudging defender Neil Fitzhenry to have handled. Thinking a win had been squandered, the Southport players remonstrated with disbelief - but as his team-mates stood in anguish, goalkeeper Dickinson capped the day by producing a glistening stop to turn Darryn Stamp’s firmly-struck kick around the post.






Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Steve Dickinson, 19. Chris Lane, 6. Earl Davis, 4. Neil Fitzhenry, 3. Jerome Fitzgerald, 5. Carl Baker, 10. Dominic Morley, 2. Steve Pickford, 17. Liam Blakeman, 7. Kevin Leadbetter (20. Matthew McGinn ’88), 8. Neil Robinson (9. Nick Rogan ’75).
Unused Substitutes: 15. Jamie Speare, 15. Michael Powell, 28. Michael Stringfellow.

Referee: M. Bull

Attendance: 2,231

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 17. Liam Blakeman

Final Score: Stevenage 0, Southport 1
Possession: Stevenage 50%, Southport 50%
Shots on Target: Stevenage 2, Southport 4
Shots off Target: Stevenage 3, Southport 5
Corners: Stevenage 6, Southport 1
Fouls Committed: Stevenage 13, Southport 19
Bookings: Stevenage 2, Southport 3
Sent-Off: Stevenage 1, Southport 0


Southport fan Jonathan O’Byrne (left) with exiles Sue Thomason (centre) and Len Shackleton (right)