Southport 1 v 4 Kendal Town

Southport depart from this season’s Lancashire FA competition, but the youngsters nearly were rewarded with victory, only being forced into extra time as a last gasp Kendal equaliser cancelled out Connor Millington’s earlier strike.

What Kendal Town had to offer in terms of experience and age, the Southport youngsters showed energy and flair that would have pleased the Sandgrounders boss. However, it was Carl Osman who created the major chances of the first half, as he look to break the deadlock early on. The first chance arrived on seven minutes as a corner towards the near post was headed goal-ward by Osman, only for Zac Hibbert to read the danger well. On the quarter hour mark, Osman was again denied by Hibbert as a low free-kick from the right wing looked like it could cause danger, and moments before the break, a ball forward from Danny Wisdom went into Osman who shot on the turn, only for Hibbert again to be equal.

Kendal were given a glorious chance to take the lead ten minutes into the second half as they were awarded a penalty which Osman stepped forward to take, but his shot was gathered well by substitute keeper Steve Drench.

Lee Mulvaney was denied by Drench minutes later, as his tight-angled shot from the left side of the box was pushed away. But the Southport youngsters did start to churn chances out for themselves, with James Watkinson coming close, and Zac Aley showing his potential as a well struck shot from the edge of the box needed to be cleared by David Newnes. The deadlock was finally broken on 72 minutes when Connor Millington was played in neatly by Watkinson, with the youngster confidently and calmly putting the ball beyond Newnes.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Ian Kilford blasted the ball through a crowded area to force the game into extra time, and within two minutes of the restart Kendal turned the game on its head as Paul Byrne skirted down the left flank, firing a low ball which went through the legs of Drench and into the back of the net. Towards the end of the first period, Osman gave Kendal a cushion as he fired through beyond Drench, and Craig Hobson blasted home mintues from the end to put the icing on the cake for Kendal.