Southport 2 v 0 Stalybridge Celtic

A week, as they say, is a long time in football. Seven days after Liam Watson conceded the title to Tamworth, the events of this afternoon suggested there could still be life in the race for the championship.


A second successive victory against play-off chasing opposition – both wins coming by virtue of convincing scorelines and comprehensive performances – has produced the desired response to last week’s defeat against Alfreton Town.


As Watson pointed out, it remains Tamworth’s league to lose, but should the leaders suffer any more setbacks, as they did today against Stafford Rangers, the Sandgrounders might well be in a position to pounce. Southport now trail the leaders by four points with an extra game to play and, on this evidence, it is a challenge they will relish.


Watson’s words have certainly liberated a previously underperforming team, while a change in formation has given Southport the chance to finish the season with momentum.


Another key part of the Sandgrounders’ two wins has been the form of Steve Daly, who bagged a brace to take his tally to 23 goals in all competitions this season. The striker has now scored six in his last four matches and, but for the width of a crossbar, he could have scored a hat-trick. His goals and presence in attack will have a big say in what Southport achieve this season.


Daly’s first arrived on 34 minutes, finishing a crisp close-range volley having received Ciaran Kilheeney’s knock-down from Kevin Lee’s high ball.


The Sandgrounders played confidently during the first half, though goalkeeper Tony McMillan was drawn into a save from Keith Briggs’ low shot. McMillan also made strong stops to deny Lee Ellington and Michael Bowler early in the second period.


Daly’s looping header clipped the top of the crossbar from a Robbie Booth centre and the striker claimed his second goal with 11 minutes remaining, cooly dispatching a penalty after Barrie Keeling had handled a Kilheeney overhead kick.


Kilheeney’s efforts deserved a goal – a volley saved by keeper Paul Phillips was the closest he came – but the challenge for Southport now is to sustain this standard of performance