Port V. 4, Southport 1

Port Vale displayed their most spartan qualities in beating both Southport and a blizzard, which held up play for five minutes in the first half.Vale’s indifference to the wintry conditions paid off by a handsome margin to break a depressing spell of six previous League games without a win.

It took them almost to the interval before they scored an opening goal. Afterwards Vale stayed the heavy going like thoroughbreds to play their visitors almost to a standstill towards the finish.

Vale’s recent forward signing Jimmy Hill notched his third goal when he headed his side into the lead in the 40th minute.

Although the second half opened dramatically with a goal to each side within two minutes, Vale always looked a confident bet for both points.

Tony Richards and Roger Smith both celebrated their recall to the home side with second half goals, and Southport’s lone effort came from a blunder by the home full-back Arthur Cunliffe who directed the ball into his own net to add to Southport’s misfortune.

Colin Alty, a full-back played experimentally at centre-forward, scored his first goal in League football for Southport, despite the fact that his first half role was almost exclusively that of shadowing Hill.

Southport dropped their negative defensive complex later in the game, but they never matched Vale’s tenacity in mounting their attacks.

The home team were greatly assisted by a sterling performance from right-half Harry Poole, whose aggressive approach gave much extra weight to Vale’s offensive.

Ex-Vale winger Ron Smith made some brave dashes, but generally it was not a happy return for him or another former Vale player, Billy Bingham, who is Southport coach and currently the man in charge of the team.