Rovers run out tests Southport

• Southport Visiter
• 21 Jul 2022
• BY MATTHEW HURST

LEAGUE Two Tranmere Rovers ran out 4-1 winners when they faced Southport at the Pure Stadium on Saturday

Southport started the game strongly as they were looking to build on their mid-week victory over Lancaster, but despite having most of the ball and putting Tranmere on the back foot they saw all the first 20 minutes of pressure nullified.

To rub salt into the wound, Tranmere scored twice in the space of two minutes to take control of the first half.

The first goal came from a Kane Hemmings tap in at the back post after the ball in the box evaded the Southport defence, whilst the second goal was a moment of class which saw McAlear play a calm onetwo through the defence leaving him with the full goal to aim at and he slotted it in the side netting.

Southport pushed on towards the latter end of the half having a few good chances which saw shots dragged just wide and the break nearly came when Josh Hmami hit the crossbar from a free-kick which had the keeper beaten.

Southport had defended well in the last few minutes of the first half, seeing shots deflected by the defence but that was soon broken when the second half begun as in the 52nd minute Tranmere’s trialist capitalised on a neat passing play inside the box and made it 3-0.

The game then settled down a little with the only major talking point being sub goalkeeper Tony McMillan making two double saves in quick succession.

Southport changed the pace of the game by scoring a goal in the 73rd minute making it 3-1, Charlie Munro’s rocket in to the top right corner from the edge of the box had everyone beaten.

As Southport put the pressure back on Tranmere the game rediscovered it’s spark for the last 10 minutes but any hope of a comeback was wiped away when Tranmere substitute Josh Hawkes rifled a shot into the top left corner from distance in the 87th minute.