AFC Telford 1 v 5 Southport

Southport romped to a convincing 5-1 victory over fellow promotion pushers AFC Telford.

Peter Davenport had a full squad to pick from, with injuries cured and suspensions now served, with new signing Rodney Jack given the nod over a few first team regulars. All Southport players were on blistering form, as a more healthy squad will now leave individuals vying for a starting position, looking to impress their manager.

With the snow falling in a gusty wind, Southport had to weather the early pressure from the home side. Skipper, Jimmy Turner had a cluster of chances to put his team ahead, but resolute defending, and maybe a stroke of luck, saw his chances fall away from the target.

Southport’s first chance fell to Michael Rae whose half volley from the edge the are skimmed just wide of the target. It was just before the half-hour when the deadlock was broken. Paul Barratt ran the left wing in blistering style, trying to cross the ball into the centre, only for the ball to come crashing off the hand of Lee Vaughan, with the referee correctly indicating a penalty. Tony Gray shot low to his right, and although Ryan Young guessed correct, the ball was too fast as it crashed into the back of the net. Liam Blakeman created himself a good chance to increase the lead just moments later as he ran through the Telford defence before shooting across goal, only for the ball to skim wide.

Defender, Asa Charlton had a good chance to equal the scores when a corner came through, but the chance fell comfortably to Steve Drench. But on the stroke of half time, Southport increased their lead as a class move from Rodney Jack on the edge of the area prodded the ball through to Michael Rae who fired a low accurate shot from just inside the box, again with Ryan Young stranded as the ball went through two of his defenders.

Within ten minutes of the re-start, Southport extended their lead as a blistering run forward from Liam Blakeman saw an accurate pass being played into Michael Rae who scuffed the ball in from close range. Blakeman continued to provide dangerous balls into the box, as minutes later a free-kick went into Kevin Lee, who forced a good save from Young. The home side were left to make speculative shots, as Jon Adams fired over from the edge of the box. They did pull a goal back with fifteen minutes remaining as Blakeman inadvertantly handled the ball right on the edge of the area. Asa Charlton’s impressive free-kick sailed tight into the top left corner of the goal, with the diving Drench unable to prevent the ball from going in.

However, Southport restored their three goal advantage just two minutes later as Tony Gray received the ball from a short corner, and with the strikers confidence now oozing for all to see, he pressed forward, riding the challenge of two hapless defenders before striking the ball low into the net. Liam Blakeman nearly made it five minutes later as he confidently ran into the box, firing low, only for the ball to be cleared off the line by Jimmy Turner. But it was only a matter of time until Southport did get their fifth, and it was a break on the right wing by Neil Robinson that saw Southport seal their victory. Having surged down the right wing, Robinson remained unchallenged before striking from just inside the box, with his low shot going beyond Ryan Young.

Peter Davenport refused to get carried away with the victory, acknowledging that there is still some way to go. You can listen to his thoughts, along with an interview with Rodney Jack, by listening to the podcast that accompanies this match.