Magical Magpies heap pain on Port

The Non-League Football Paper

By Mike Nield

A BRILLIANT second-half display by Chorley destroyed Southport. While the Magpies strengthened their playoffs hopes, this comprehensive defeat only adds to the punchless Sandgrounders’ relegation fears. On a tricky surface, the visitors stayed in the game, showing pace and invention in their counter-attacks often prompted by Danny Lloyd, but there was no end-product and they too often gave the ball away. The hosts created several good chances and should have had a penalty when the referee chose to ignore a clear foul on Carlton Ubaezuonu, wrestled to the ground as he burst into the box. Southport keeper Chris Renshaw twice made excellent saves but should have had no chance when Scott Wilson missed badly. The second half belonged to the Magpies who had too much quality for the now-fading visitors. It was only a matter of time before they went ahead through a wonder goal from Justin Johnson on 54 minutes. Supplied by Frankie Maguire, the winger beat two defenders before sliding his shot into the far corner. Jack Sampson made it two for Chorley with a shot into the roof of the net and Southport’s plight was underlined six minutes from time when Ubaezuonu scored emphatically from the spot following a shirt tug.