CARVER IS SO CUTTING AS PURITANS FACE DROP

The Non-League Football Paper

By Dave England

A MARCUS Carver goal just past the hour was enough to give Southport all three points and condemn relegation-threatened Banbury United to a sixth straight defeat. In the fifth minute a low shot from Southport’s Will Russ from distance whistled a yard wide of the Banbury goal. Gradually the Puritans played their way back into things and a patient build-up involving Lawson D’Ath and Simeon Maye saw the ball laid off to Luca Woodhouse, who sent a rasping drive over from 20 yards. Despite having more of the play, Southport were indebted to their keeper Chris Renshaw for keeping the scoreline goalhis less. In the 18th minute, Renshaw produced a full stretch save to deny Ken Charles and Josh Johnson saw his angled drive smothered by Renshaw. The keeper then played a quick ball forward to create a chance but Russ flicked wide of goal. The second half opened with Johnson firing a fierce shot at goal that Renshaw saved. And it was Southport who broke the deadlock on 61 minutes when a long ball forward was flicked on to the industrious Carver and he slotted home. Banbury’s D’Ath saw a 30-yarder deflected wide. Three minutes later Renshaw denied Charles, who saw his header blocked by the keeper from a corner. Southport though saw the game out to seal a second successive away win.

STAR MAN: Marcus Carver (Southport) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★