On This Day: January 16th

At the turn of 1993 table topping Southport were chasing promotion from the Northern Premier League under Brian Kettle.

As they prepared to travel to second placed Frickley Athletic there was just a 2 point gap separating the sides (although Southport did have two games in hand).

Southport felt they had something to prove after cruelly being “robbed” of all 3 points at Accrington during the preceeding week thanks to an injury time “goal” that members of the team still remember to this day being thrown/punched in. [Editor: I’ll spare the direct quotes incase there are children reading!]

Stuart Mellish joined another recent signing Phil Quinlan, in the squad for the first time, after joining from Barrow earlier in the week, whilst Mark Brennan was forced to sit this one out with a toe injury.

Peter Withers was part of an iconic Southport line-up and obliged with a hat-trick of goals to help them on their way.

FRICKLEY ATHLETIC 2 – 5 SOUTHPORT

Competition: League / Northern Premier League
Date: 16/01/1993
Attendance: 393

Southport Line-Up: Paul Moore, Dave Fuller, Ian Baines, Leroy Dove, Mark Schofield, Alan McDonald, Kevin Mooney, David Gamble, Steve Haw, Peter Withers, Chris Walmesley,  
Subs: Phil Quinlan (Ian Baines), Stuart Mellish (Peter Withers), 
Goals: Peter Withers, Peter Withers, Peter Withers, Leroy Dove, Steve Haw,