It’s now five games unbeaten for Paul Futcher’s Southport and although today’s performance wasn’t particularly impressive they completely outshone their Northern Premier League opponents who along with their Bully Boy timewasting tactics did nothing to endear themselves to the fans. Emley did in-fact have a handful of decent players but it is unlikely the home fans noticed as they were too busy booing them to even care.
Ironically enough it was Emley who took the lead after a comical defensive error saw Jamie Robshaw with the perfect opportunity to lob Steve Dickinson who was caught in no-man’s land following Phil Bollands poor back header. Two minutes later and the embarrased centre-half had to leave the field with concussion following a bad clash in the air with an opposing forward.
Ian Arnold hit the woodwork in the 23rd minute and was unlucky to see the ball rebound into the keepers arms – it was the story of the day for ‘Port with nothing falling right for them despite the incredible amount of effort they put in.
The referee too received a chorus of boos from the majority of the 1,310 strong crowd as he left the field at half time but the Sandgrounder’s will have felt justice had been done five minutes after the break with skipper Andy Gouck firing low and hard through a crowded goalmouth to equalise deservedly for the yellows.
The game turned scrappy from here on in but never was a game more one sided than this, luck just was not on Southport’s side. The introduction of Lee Furlong for the impressive Lee Ellison created a few decent chances in the last few minutes but it is to Emley on Monday Southport now turn as the replay decides who is to go to Darlington for the first round proper of the most famous competition in the world (you know, the one without the european champions and current holders in it).