On This Day: January 14th

On this day in 1978 Southport ended a 635 day spell without an away win (Since April 1976) in the League. It was to be their last Football League away win.

With Tony Brookfield and Paul Birchall both ruled out of the trip due to injury and John Higham recovering from a groin strain, manager Hugh Fisher had to include two apprentices in the travelling squad, Nick Jones from Preston and Billy Gerrard from Liverpool. Neither player were to feature.

Setting out with player-manager Fisher sitting behind the back four, Scunthorpe struggled with Southport’s defensive tactics. Worcester county cricketer Jim Cumbes, signed in an emergency after keeper Tony Harrison fractured his arm, kept a clean sheet for the second game in succession and Steve Brooks had a fine game making four goal line clearances.

Catching scunthorpe unawares after 3 minutes to take the lead the Sandgrounders had to soak up some intense pressure for the remainder of the game. A snookes breakaway on the 68th minute to lay on a goal for Ashworth gave a flattering scoreline.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED 0 – 2 SOUTHPORT

Competition: League
Date: 14/01/1978
Attendance: 2699

Southport Line-Up: Jim Cumbes, Steve Brooks, Hughie Fisher, Alan Wilson, Tommy O’Neil, Geoff Gay, Phil Ashworth, Eric Snookes, George Jones, John Higham, Chris Kisby ,  
Goals: George Jones, Phil Ashworth,