Sandgrounders progress in Trophy at the expense of Covid-hit Farsley

THE Sandgrounders advanced to the next round of FA Trophy with a comfortable win.

Southport continued their unbeaten run as they beat a depleted Farsley Celtic 3-0 to secure a place in the fourth round of the FA Trophy.

Their task was made easier by the fact that the home side were forced to name five debutants and just two players on the bench as a result of

Covid-19 cases.

Goalkeeper Tony McMillan made his 250th appearance for the club, and it might have been his easiest to date. The only real effort on goal for Farsley was an 11th minute free-kick that sailed just over the crossbar.

Southport, on the other hand, had several chances in the first-half. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts was put through on goal but couldn’t find the target, before Jack Doyle tested the keeper with a low driven free-kick across the goal.

Jordan Archer then rounded goalkeeper

Thomas Donaghy and passed the ball into the empty net in the 24th minute before hitting the bar from Doyle’s free-kick minutes later.

Niall Watson broke down the left, but failed to convert, firing his effort straight at Donaghy from close range in the 36th minute.

The fog was worsening and the referee decided to give the players just five minutes to recuperate from their first-half efforts.

Southport started the second-half brightly and Watson was dragged down by Tyler Walton and stepped up to score the resulting penalty after 56 minutes.

The home side then had a penalty appeal rejected before Doug Tharme’s looping header put the result beyond doubt with 20 minutes to go.

Farsley’s day went from bad to worse when Tom Allen received a second booking with just nine minutes left.

Southport’s next home game sees Farsley come to Haig Avenue in ten days time.

LINE UP: McMillan, Oliver, J Doyle, Anson, Tharme, Munro, Archer. Buckley-Ricketts (Carver 56) Vassallo, Watson, Bainbridge. Unused Subs: Mason, Benjamin, Woods, Hmami & Edwards

ATT: 269

The win means Southport’s game at home to Bradford (Park Avenue) scheduled for January 15th will need to be rearranged.