AFTER match comment by the Southport chairman: “We stole this round”—aptly covers Saturday’s F.A. Cup-tie between Southport and Horden.

Southport were slightly superior while their rivals were settling down, and it was only fitting that they should take the lead through Owens before half-time.

It was a seemingly re-vitalised Horden team which took the field after the interval and Southport were outplayed in every department for Hayward to score a brilliant goal in the 58th minute.

Cheering had hardly subsided before the incident which proved the turning point of the match occurred. Len Hubble, Horden’s “penalty king,” was called upon to take a kick from the spot, but his luck was out and the ball was deflected out of play off the woodwork.

Lockie was a good general and defender until he mistimed a ball in the closing stages and a corner kick resulted. A scramble in the Horden goal followed and the defence panicked for a penalty to be awarded. Wyles drove blindly for goal from the spot for the ball to find the roof of the net over Heywood’s head.

There was not enough time left for Horden to force a draw. In extra time they would certainly have been favourites.

Hayward was the outstanding player on the field and effectively “policed” McGorrighan, while still proving sound in attack and defence. Fenton was the best winger on show.

“Gate” was 10,000 and receipts £666.Cup dreams have faded, but Horden supporters have ample opportunity to show the same assistance to the team as they have done in recent weeks.

There are no away games until January 3 and in the intervening period they will entertain Darlington Reserves, Annfield Plain, Consett, Sunderland Reserves and Gateshead Reserves in that order.

SOUTHPORT.—Birkett; Hodgson, Boyle; Hacking, Blagg, Banks; Iddon, Owens, Wyles, McGorrighan, Goodwin.

HORDEN.—Heywood; Minto, Hubble; Hayward, Lockie, Curzon; Hope, Housam, Cummins, Armes, Fenton.

Referee: Mr. J W. Richards (Cheadle).

The game had what might have been a disastrous opening for Southport. In Horden’s first move Birkett was knocked out in a collision with Cummins and was carried off.

Hodgson took his place in goal, but Birkett after attention resumed within a few minutes.

Southport did most of the earlier attacking, but got no change out of the Horden defence which tackled keenly.

Owens was given a chance by Wyles, but Lockie smartly dispossessed him before he could get in a shot. Iddon twice had good efforts blocked out.

Horden were showing good understanding in approach work and Birkett did well to smother the ball at the feet of Housam almost on the goal line after a great run by Fenton.

Play was becoming rather one-sided with Southport constantly storming the Horden goal. Shots were smothered, but a goal seemed inevitable.

It came in 32 minutes when OWENS got his head to a McGorrighan cross from near the corner flag and scored his first goal of the season.

Half-time. — Southport 1, Horden 0.