Hinckley United 2 v 3 Southport

Hinckley took the game to Southport, creating a few early chances as Gez Murphy shot across goal and moments later Charlie O’Loughlin having a free shot from the edge of the box. The opening goal came in the eighth minute as Brian Quailey played a defence splitting pass through to Murphy who stroked the ball around the advancing Drench into the net.

After a quiet period of play, Southport pulled level as Neil Prince’s corner out on the right was swung into Tony Gray who had a free header at the near post, nodding the ball home for the equaliser. Hinckley restored their lead within minutes as a darting run into the box by Brian Quailey ended up with Chris Lever catching the striker, with Murphy stepping up to take the penalty, striking the ball low to his left sending Drench the wrong way.

Southport got right back into the game early in the second period as Tony Gray turned in the box, volleying the ball home from near the penalty spot. Within a couple of minutes, Southport edged the lead a Gray again struck from the edge of the box, leaving Bowles bemused as the ball sailed past him into the goal, completing the striker’s hat-trick.

Southport improved in retaining possession creating various more chances to increase the lead, as the hosts started to tire. Keeper, Sean Bowles cleared a Southport attack heading the ball outside the area, only for the ball to land to Neil Prince who returned the ball over the hapless keepers head, only to see his chance hit the post and go out for a goal kick. Paul Barratt tried his luck as his surged forward, releasing the ball through to Gray who struck his shot wide. But in the end, Southport held on to claim all three points, which will hopefully be the turning point from recent results.