A problem shared, to judge by a depressed contingent of Southport supporters, is not a problem halved.

Even after seven hours of miserable deliberation during the journey home from their longest trip of the season, the Sandgrounders’ present crisis shows no indication of receding.

If the increasingly popular solution is to be found, they can only hope that someone in authority has been listening to them.

Back to the bottom of the Nationwide Conference for the first time since April, Southport’s eighth defeat of the campaign was familiarly lacklustre and ominously dismal.

Few will have travelled to the Wessex Stadium with the hope of seeing the Sandgrounders gain a result against a Weymouth side who strengthen their hold on third place by virtue of this contest. But to witness another collapse suggests their renewal of acquaintances with the table’s basement may not be a short one.





Struggling to contend with a powerful and smart Terras outfit, Paul Cook’s team managed just one shot on target throughout the afternoon. They were tormented by winger Lee Elam, the former Haig Avenue player, who scored once and won his side a penalty to record a man of the match performance. And had it not been for some poor finishing from the home team, there would have been further ignominy for the Sandgrounders.

With nine players sidelined, there will certainly be a change in personnel during the coming weeks, but given that injuries have been as common as discontent during the past two months, there is little solace to be found.

Southport’s back-line, with an average age of less than 20, were under constant threat from Elam, Simon Weatherstone and Raphael Nade, whose proven prowess emphasised the gulf.





Mark Boyd’s stinging shot forced goalkeeper Aaron Lee-Barrett into a scrambling stop from outside the area on six minutes and although a James Olsen pass narrowly eluded long-striker Mark Jackson after swift move involving Carl Baker, Sean Clancy and Liam Blakeman, the visitors were on the back foot from the onset.

Elam was denied by defender Clancy having been released by Richard Logan, while Nade should have done better when clearing the crossbar with a header from Shaun Wilkinson’s lofted through-ball.

On 20 minutes, Abdou El Kholti supplied a free-kick that was also placed off target with an aerial effort by Roy O’Brien, before Logan forced keeper Ryan Robinson into action from Elam’s looping cross.

Nade headed over after being supplied with the half’s most presentable opportunity by Ben Smith, but his blushes were spared when Elam netted a stylish strike a minute before the interval. Weatherstone’s high ball was glanced on by Logan, allowing Elam to lob the ball over Robinson with a nonchalant finish from outside the area.



Logan missed the target from close range following the restart after Nade and Weatherstone both had chances, but the home side added a second on 66 minutes from the penalty spot. Elam was floored under the challenge of Olsen, allowing Logan to show how spot-kicks should be taken.

Baker’s speculative effort whistled across goal for Southport, but Weymouth remained in control and should have furthered their score. Captain Smith was forced wide by ‘keeper Robinson after Shaun Wilkinson and Logan had combined, while Vickers headed over El Kholti’s, before Nade did likewise.

Baker, Southport’s only source of hope, flashed a fizzing drive wide of the near post, while debutant Danny Ventre nearly cost the Sandgrounders a third at the other end, only for Dan Kirkup to mop up after a misplaced pass had freed substitute Chukki Eribenne.

(Weymouth 2 - 0 Southport - Southport.gb.com)

* Photos courtesy of Rob Urwin, www.southportfcstats.co.uk





Fans who made the trip on the Trust in Yellow supporters’ coach


Southport.gb.com Match Facts:

Southport: (4-5-1) 1. Ryan Robinson, 22. Danny Ventre, 26. Dan Kirkup, 4. Michael Powell, 20. Sean Clancy (15. Stephen Rowland ’45), 7. Carl Baker, 3. Lee Hoolickin, 6. Mark Boyd, 8. Liam Blakeman, 11. James Olsen (23. Francis Barry ’79), 18. Mark Jackson (19. Joe Fowler ’55).
Unused Substitutes: 12. John Bagnall, 8. Liam Blakeman.

Referee: A. Sainsbury

Attendance: 1,865

Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 7. Carl Baker

Final Score: Weymouth 2, Southport 0
Possession: Weymouth 55%, Southport 45%
Shots on Target: Weymouth 3, Southport 1
Shots off Target: Weymouth 6, Southport 3
Corners: Weymouth 8, Southport 3
Fouls Committed: Weymouth 19, Southport 13
Bookings: Weymouth 0, Southport 2
Sent-Off: Weymouth 0, Southport 0