DISORGANISED SIDE

Why Southport Lost at Hartlepools

Southport were a disjointed side at Hartlepools, and one of the main reasons appeared to be the playing of Atkinson at right half and Hampson at inside right throughout the first half.

Atkinson was obviously not used to the position and was forced to throw additional work on the defence, while Hampson could not settle down in the forward line. After the interval, when they changed places, there was a definite improvement. Atkinson added strength to the attack and Hampson gave more assistance to Royston.

Had this change been made after the first quarter of an hour, Southport would probably have put up a better fight.

Instead, they became very much disorganised and allowed a far from good team to get the upper hand. Had Hartlepools’ forwards finished with more accuracy they could have had a much greater interval lead, despite hard work by Hill, Royston and Grainger.

These three refused to give up, although there were long spells when the ball was never out of their half. Any attempts to work as a team were upset by the two penalties against Grainger and Hill. The first appeared to be a clean tackle and the second was certainly nothing more than a shoulder charge.

On the other hand, Hampson was brought down in the penalty area during the second half, an incident which passed the North Shields referee. Even allowing for these matters, however, does not condone Southport’s defeat. Throughout the game there was a lack of understanding. Passes went astray regularly and there was no link between attack and defence.

Atkinson, in the second half, and Baker, on the right, were slightly better than the other Southport forwards. Patrick had few opportunities, but missed a simple goal when Southport were only one down.

The only man who was really satisfactory was Rutherford. The crowd gave him a great cheer at the end.