Southport were victorious over Alfreton Town winning 3-1 on the opening day at the Big Help Stadium.

A dominant display by a new look Jim Bentley team is enough to see out late pressure from a strong Alfreton Town side.

A slow start to the game was highlighted by a few late fouls which provided a stop start approach to the early proceedings.

Southport, who had the majority of their possession in the attacking third, were rewarded with the lead in the 18^th minute after a Danny Lloyd free-kick wasn’t dealt with and the ball fell to Danny Philliskirk at the back post who made it 1-0 to the home side.

Southport maintained control adding a second just Eight minutes after the restart, patient build-up play down the left saw Philliskirk in space from 20 yards out and the midfielder made no mistake who fired into the top corner.

Just 10 minutes later, the home side made it Three, as defender Tom Moore arrives at the back post and heads past Willis. Alfreton managed to pull a goal back in the 70^th minute with just their first shot on target, after substitute Billy Whitehouse finished acrobatically into the bottom corner.

The visitors pushed for another goal but Southport comfortably saw the game out with the final score being 3-1.

Line Ups:

Southport (5-2-3): Renshaw, Minihan, Moore, Keane ©, Knight-Percival (Quansah 69’), Doyle, Spooner, Philliskirk, Lloyd (Hilton 87’), Burgess (Proctor 73’), Carver (Owolabi 87’).

Unused Subs: Stafford

Alfreton (4-4-1-1) : Willis, Clackstone, Hunt, Anson, Newall, Fewster, Cantrill ©, Perritt (Lund 67’), Salam (Whitehouse 64’), Abbey (Waddock 67’), Day (Moyo 56’).

Unused subs: Askew

Referee: Matthew Scholes

Star-man: Danny Philliskirk

Attendance: 1235 (75 Away)

Match rating: 4/5