Southport Come Out On Top In The Trophy

Club Website, Dec 15, 2020

Southport came out on top in a hard fought encounter with a 34th minute strike by Niall Watson the difference between the sides.

Marine dominated the early play and had three good chances to take the lead with the lively Neil Kengni causing all sorts of problems to the Southport rear guard.

It took the best save of the night from Tony McMillan playing in goal ahead of Dan Hanford to keep the scores level in the 22nd minute, somehow getting down low to turn away a shot from Kengni.

Southport began to come into the game and in the 29th minute Niall Watson had a good attempt saved by Passant in the Marine goal.

The goal came out of nothing when a poor clearance fell to Watson who finished well to put the Sandgrounders ahead.

It should have been 2-0 a few minutes later when Newell and Morgan both had chances to finish but held on to the ball too long and the keeper recovered well.

Marine could count themselves unlucky not to be at least level at the break.

The second half saw Southport more in control with Morgan dominating the midfield and pushing forward more than we have seen of late and to better effect.

The best chances of the half fell to Jordan Archer in the 73rd minute when he headed against the post from a Morgan free kick and Cameron Antwi who blazed over the bar when he was played in by Carver.

Marine continued to press and there was a let off for Southport when the Marine had the ball in the net but the Assistant Referee’s flag was raised for offside.

Southport could have sealed victory in added time with a 5 on 1 break as Marine pushed everyone forward but the one defender did brilliantly to thwart the attack single handedly which drew applause from all around the ground.

Three minutes of added time saw the home side push for an equaliser but Southport held firm for a much needed victory.

We will now travel to Spennymoor on Saturday in Round Three after The Moors beat Marske 6-2.

Line Up: McMillan, Challoner, Vassallo, Winnard, Ali, Morgan, Benjamin, Antwi (Bainbridge (90), Watson, Newell (Carver 70), Archer.

Unused Subs: Hanford, Woods & Oliver.