Southport 0 AFC Fylde 0 Match Report

Apr 15, 2022

0-0 draws can be tepid affairs but this was anything but.

Against a full time team who had no midweek game Southport more than held their own in a high energy performance just lacking that final quality in the last third of the pitch.

Chances were few and far between for both sides, the nearest the visitors came was when Nick Haughton lobbed Cam Mason but the ball went just over the bar.

Southport, attacking the Jack Carr Stand in the first half and  with the supporters in fine voice had a few half chances but were unable to carve out any clear cut openings.

The game erupted into life in the 35th minute when AFC Fylde captain Will Hatfield saw red for kicking out at Tyler Walton.

Just as in the game at Fylde Southport were playing against 10 men for a long period but as in that first encounter were unable to break down a solid AFC Fylde defence with the giant Emeka Obi outstanding at the back for the visitors.

The game was threatening to boil over with a series of niggly fouls by both sides as the game simmered on the edge.

Fylde had a second red card when their manager, James Rowe, petulantly kicked the ball away much to the annoyance of the home fans and the referee who dealt the ultimate punishment to the boss much to the delight of the home supporters.

Half time was a relief with the game on the edge.

The second half was a lot calmer with Fylde seemingly content with a point and Southport just not having that final ball to break through.

Niall Watson had the best chance of the half when he chipped the keeper but saw the ball roll agonisingly wide of the goal,

Before the game, most supporters were talking about a draw being a good result but against ten men it could be seen as two points dropped rather than one gained,

Given Southport had played on Tuesday and the effort they put into that game only to go down to a late penalty which could have deflated them and made for a difficult afternoon but far from it and whilst there was an overall feeling of we should have won you can’t fault this group of lads commitment.

We go again on Monday with a trip over The Pennines to face Farsley Celtic, Kick Off 3pm.

Subs Used: Hmami for Vassallo  53 and Watson for Chris Doyle 67

Attendance: 1318

Southport Brewery Man Of The Match chosen by match sponsors The Birkdale Insurance Group Tyler Walton.