Sandgrounders’ escape act

The Non-League Football Paper

By Rob Urwin

Southport surged out of the relegation zone thanks to three goals in the final five minutes. Marcus Carver’s 58th-minute red card counted for little as Danny Newton’s 11th-minute goal for Brackley Town was cancelled out by Harry Flowers’ leveller and further strikes by Josh Hmami and Jordan Archer. The visitors took the lead after great work down the left saw Riccardo Calder cross and the prolific Newton fired home from 12 yards. Chris Renshaw was being kept busy in the home goal with a couple of excellent saves keeping the visitors at bay. Southport did gradually find their way into the game with Flowers going the closest with a powerful header that was scrambled away. Southport were reduced to ten men when Carver saw red for a second yellow in the space of six minutes. Flowers headed home from a corner in the 85th minute. Southport were not finished and the outstanding Hmami fired home from 30 yards with the keeper unsighted. Southport put the icing on the cake when the returning Archer capitalised on a defensive slip and finished the day off with a welcome win for the hosts. STAR MAN: Josh Hmami (Southport) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★