SOUTHPORT ………. 2 RUNCORN ………… 2

(half time 0-0)

Football drama of the type one associates with a boys’ popular book or newspaper, was re-enacted at Southport’s Haig Avenue, on Saturday. Goals, we are often told by the experts who have “ghosts” hovering at their elbows or almost dangling on the telephone, is what Soccer is all about (writes OBSERVER).

Phil Spencer, who had made up the Runcorn numbers thought so too. Because he protested so much against the no spot kick decision, he was booked as had been Dave Rylands and Eric Snookes at various times in the final half.

Then came the final slice of drama to put a thrilling climax on this memorable match.

Tim Rutter, who like Murphy had found problems in the heading duels with the tall Southport attackers, dashed in to take a throw-in.

The nifty feet of Howard avoided a trip this time (he had been upended several times in each half), bluffed one defender. Then a ground pass went to DAVE LYONS and there was hardly time for the re-commencement of play.

No doubt the packed Southport defence had anticipated, and quite wrongly, that Howard would attempt a chip. But they erred and Lyons took not a second to control the ball, but hit it first time.

The first goal to Runcorn was a special one. Murphy, who despite being beaten in that skirmish by O’Neill, apparently enjoyed himself in the new role. Tony had placed a free kick so well that Mike Scott was able to edge the ball to Whitbread.

A lightning swivel and Harrison who eventually rescued Southport more than once was beaten by a curling shot.Rawlinson was in the wars several times. The giant George Jones once collided with him and the Runcorn ’keeper had to go low to stop other raids and suffered in the process once from O’Neill.

Even Southport’s partisan supporters applauded Rawlinson as he walked off the field accompanied by trainer Brian Caldwell.While Whitbread and Lyons captured most of the limelight, it was certainly a team effort, and might easily have proved to be a tremendous win instead of a meritorious draw.

FA CUP First round at Haig Avenue

Saturday, November 26th

Weather: fine, but cold.

Southport: Harrison, Kisby, Snookes, O’Neill (capt), Brookes, Higham, Cooper (Ashworth), Wilson (A), Fisher, Gay, Jones.

Runcorn: Rawlinson, Rutter, Murphy, Rylands, Duff, King (capt), Wilson (P), Scott, Whitbread, Lyon, Howard. Sub: Spencer.

Attendance: 3,948 (best of the season, £2,269).

Referee: N. Midgley (Salford), linesmen: A. Dobson (Blackburn), S.W. Mason (Nelson)

Although Runcorn earned a replay with a goal in the third minute of injury time, many of their vociferous supporters in a crowd of 3,948, the highest of the season at Haig Avenue, must have gone home convinced that two earlier incidents cost the non-League side victory over Southport in Saturday’s first round FA Cup tie

The first was an injury to goalkeeper Mal Rawlinson shortly after his side had taken the lead, and the second—referee Neil Midgley’s refusal to award a penalty when Barrie Whitbread was brought down in the Southport area two minutes from the end.

Rawlinson sustained a badly bruised arm saving at the feet of Southport skipper Tommy O’Neill, and eventually had to leave the field after 72 minutes.

Defender Tony Murphy took over in goal with Phil Spencer, the substitute, coming on to fill the gap in Runcorn’s ranks.

Runcorn, a credit to the Northern Premier League, deserved the replay on their own ground at Canal Street this evening (7.30).

It was Runcorn who finally made the initial breakthrough five minutes after the restart. A Murphy free kick was touched sideways by Mike Scott and Whitbread cleverly jabbed the ball into the net.

Five minutes later Southport sent on substitute Phil Ashworth in place of the ineffective Gary Cooper, but it took them until the 67th minute to wipe out Whitbread’s goal. Then Brooks headed past the handicapped Rawlinson from a Geoff Gay corner on the left.

In the 77th minute an astute through pass from Jones was collected by O’Neill, who ended a determined run into the penalty area with an accurate shot.

Tim Rutter took a throw-in, Howard put over a low cross, and Lyon cashed in on slack marking.

Player-manager Hugh Fisher summed up Southport’s performance when he said: “We did not start to play until after they had scored.”

Referee Midgley booked three players, Eric Snookes (Southport) and Runcorn’s Dave Rylands and Phil Spencer, all for dissent.

SOUTHPORT: Harrison; Kisby; Spookes; O’Neil, Brooks, Higham; Cooper, Wilson (A), Fisher, Gay, Jones. Sub: Ashworth.

RUNCORN: Rawlinson; Rutter, Murphy; Rylands, Duff, King; Wilson (P), Scott, Whitbread, Lyon, Howard. Sub: Spencer.

Referee: Mr. N. Midgeley (Salford).

Runcorn had the chance of an early breakthrough when they were awarded a free kick just outside the Southport penalty area in the second minute. King flicked the ball sideways to Rutter whose hard-hit shot went wide of the far post.

Southport took a little time to settle against Runcorn’s enthusiastic play in the early stages but soon began to make gaps in the non-League side’s defence.

A free kick from near the halfway line by Fisher was headed down by Brooks and Rawlinson had to throw himself sideways to keep out Alan Wilson’s close-range shot.

The next Southport raid also had Runcorn in trouble. This time a long through-ball from Kisby was headed back by Alan Wilson and Jones got in a fierce shot which Rawlinson did well to turn over the bar.

Runcorn however were by no means out of the picture up front and Fisher had to belt the ball away for a corner to prevent Scott latching on to a neat pass from Rutter.

Lyon, who was with Southport last season, was causing some problems to the home defence and it took the combined efforts of Fisher and Higham to stop him getting in a shot from a pass by Howard.

After his two earlier saves Rawlinson had not been in much difficulty as Southport found it hard to break down a strong defence.

There was some fierce tackling and several players on both sides were spoken to by the referee but none of them had his name taken.

Half-time: Southport 0, Runcorn 0.

BARRY WHITBREAD gave Runcorn the lead after 50 minutes from a free kick by Tony Murphy.

BROOKS equalised for Southport in the 67th minute with a header from a corner by Geoff Gay.

Five minutes after Southport’s equaliser Runcorn goalkeeper Mal. Rawlinson had to go off with an arm injury. Tony Murphy took over and sub. Phil Spencer came on.

O’NEILL gave Southport the lead after 77 minutes from a through ball by Jones.