Terrible weather was forecast for this afternoon and Chesters game had been called off because of it. It was windy and raining as I stood on the much depleted Popular Terrace.
Terry Smith was in goal and Richard Whiteside was back with the team on the bench.
Again the team went into a huddle before kick off, it looks like the players are pulling together to prove their critics in the crowd wrong.
In the first half Southport played some good football in nasty conditions. The pitch was slippy but Southport managed to pass and move well and were rewarded with an early goal from super striker Tony Gray (worth repeating that some fans wanted him sacked earlier in the season). Southport looked like getting another goal and dominated the possession. The second goal was scored by Mark Duffy from a free kick not long before the whistle for half time.
Southport went in at half time winning the game two goals to nil.
Boston came out early and played much better in the second half. The wind and rain died down. Southport had a couple of good chances 10 minutes into the second half with Rae blasting the ball at Bostons goal and again from the resulting corner.
Southport ignored the instructions shouted from the bench and resorted to a long ball game, they bypassed the midfield and hit long high balls to sub striker Jack. Jack rarely touched the ball in the second half because of this. Prince looked good when the ball was on the pitch. Too often players headed balls away rather than taking it on their chest and controlling it.
After a ignored handball Boston got a goal back. With the game drawing to a close the Southport fans started singing but their cheers soon turned to boos as Southport conceeded a second goal. Southport left the field with just one of the three points they should have claimed.
MOTM Chris Holland
Popular Side Pundit : Home and dry
Jack Carr Pundit: "You're Shit!"
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Southport 1 Workington 1
It would seem that a weekend is a long time in football. On Saturday Southport beat Telford 5-1 away and today, Monday, Southport were boo-ed off the pitch at half time.
It was sunny today but the wind was cold and there were some nasty looking clouds that threatened snow. Despite the impressive win on Saturday the crowd was just 971 at Haig Avenue.
The moaning old git was in place to run the team down and complain non stop for 90 minutes. He started with at kick off by saying he had no idea how Southport had managed 5 goals at Telford. He was thrilled when Workington took the lead from a soft goal given as a Kevin Lee own goal. His moaning increased towards half time with Southport doing little to shut him up.
When the whistle did come for half time it was drowned out by the boo-ing supporters.
Southport started the second half better than the first and quickly made two substitutions with Blakeman and Jack going off. Blakemans substitution was obviously popular as it was greated with cheers. With Duffy and Ollie James on the team looked much more effective. The ball was played on the ground more and Southport threatened goal.
The moaning git was silenced by Tony Gray scoring the equaliser. Sadly Southport seemed content with the draw and didn't maintain the threat on goal. Michael Rae looked like the sort of striker we have been missing but was subbed for Neil Robinson who offered little in the time he was on the pitch.
Both sides had chances but there was no winning today and the match finished One - One.
MOTM: Chris Holland
Popular Side Pundit: "This lot'll never score, Telford was a fluke"
It was sunny today but the wind was cold and there were some nasty looking clouds that threatened snow. Despite the impressive win on Saturday the crowd was just 971 at Haig Avenue.
The moaning old git was in place to run the team down and complain non stop for 90 minutes. He started with at kick off by saying he had no idea how Southport had managed 5 goals at Telford. He was thrilled when Workington took the lead from a soft goal given as a Kevin Lee own goal. His moaning increased towards half time with Southport doing little to shut him up.
When the whistle did come for half time it was drowned out by the boo-ing supporters.
Southport started the second half better than the first and quickly made two substitutions with Blakeman and Jack going off. Blakemans substitution was obviously popular as it was greated with cheers. With Duffy and Ollie James on the team looked much more effective. The ball was played on the ground more and Southport threatened goal.
The moaning git was silenced by Tony Gray scoring the equaliser. Sadly Southport seemed content with the draw and didn't maintain the threat on goal. Michael Rae looked like the sort of striker we have been missing but was subbed for Neil Robinson who offered little in the time he was on the pitch.
Both sides had chances but there was no winning today and the match finished One - One.
MOTM: Chris Holland
Popular Side Pundit: "This lot'll never score, Telford was a fluke"
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Southport 2 Stalybridge Celtic 3
Once again the old saying that football is a game of two halves proved true. Today was my first chance to see new signing Ollie James. He played up front with Tony Gray who is on fine form at the moment.
The game started energetically with both teams attacking. Southport passed the ball well and there was some great football being played. Paul Barratt and Neil Prince did well on the wings and it was a result of a run down the wing and a cross to Ollie James that got Southport the first goal of the game. It looked like there would be more goals but Chris Holland had obviously been watching too much rugby and fire his shot almost over the Jack Carr stand. Tony Gray shot over the bar too.
The first half finished with Southport winning 1-0 and everything was looking good for the second half.
Sadly Southport didnt start the second half the same as the did the first. Within 20 minutes Southport were losing 3-1 and the faithful fans were walking out the gates.
Southport managed to get a goal back with a Tony Gray penalty which kept the rest of the home fans in the ground until the end but they didnt get the equaliser they hope for.
The Stalybridge fans had sung and cheered throughout and they fully deserved to go home happy with their three goals and three points.
MOTM: Paul Barratt
Popular Side Pundit verdict "Clueless!"
The game started energetically with both teams attacking. Southport passed the ball well and there was some great football being played. Paul Barratt and Neil Prince did well on the wings and it was a result of a run down the wing and a cross to Ollie James that got Southport the first goal of the game. It looked like there would be more goals but Chris Holland had obviously been watching too much rugby and fire his shot almost over the Jack Carr stand. Tony Gray shot over the bar too.
The first half finished with Southport winning 1-0 and everything was looking good for the second half.
Sadly Southport didnt start the second half the same as the did the first. Within 20 minutes Southport were losing 3-1 and the faithful fans were walking out the gates.
Southport managed to get a goal back with a Tony Gray penalty which kept the rest of the home fans in the ground until the end but they didnt get the equaliser they hope for.
The Stalybridge fans had sung and cheered throughout and they fully deserved to go home happy with their three goals and three points.
MOTM: Paul Barratt
Popular Side Pundit verdict "Clueless!"
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Southport 4 Leigh RMI 0 Lancashire Co-operative Challenge Trophy Semi Final
I was in two minds whether to go to the match last night or not. A cold Tuesday evening, paying £8 for a meaningless cup game?
Luckily I decided to go. The first half was less than amazing. If the Southport back four were on a pay-as-you-pass deal they would have been rich by half time. Leigh spent most of their time in their half with Southport passing the ball along the half way line; neither side bothering the keepers.
A two footed tackle on Michael Powell saw a swift red card for Leigh and the referee quickly snuffing out the retalliation.
0-0 at half time with the threat of extra time and penalties.
Luckily Southport saved us from having to stay out in the cold night any longer than necessary. Kevin Lee took the lead with a headed goal from a corner. Robinson went off for Houghton who put the Port two goals up. Houghton was on the wrong end of a clearance, getting the ball straight in his face, but he was helped up and carried on.
The third goal was the best of the evening, Tony Gray scoring from beyond the area with a volley that would have been shown again and again on Match of the Day.
Southport made it four with Josh Hine scoring towards the end.
The half dozen Railway fans were in good voice right up to the final whistle and did their team proud. Leigh played good football which was nice to see after the game on Staurday.
Holmes had a great game and the back four were in control for the whole match.
MOTM: Tony Gray (another super goal)
Popular Side Pundit: At home
Luckily I decided to go. The first half was less than amazing. If the Southport back four were on a pay-as-you-pass deal they would have been rich by half time. Leigh spent most of their time in their half with Southport passing the ball along the half way line; neither side bothering the keepers.
A two footed tackle on Michael Powell saw a swift red card for Leigh and the referee quickly snuffing out the retalliation.
0-0 at half time with the threat of extra time and penalties.
Luckily Southport saved us from having to stay out in the cold night any longer than necessary. Kevin Lee took the lead with a headed goal from a corner. Robinson went off for Houghton who put the Port two goals up. Houghton was on the wrong end of a clearance, getting the ball straight in his face, but he was helped up and carried on.
The third goal was the best of the evening, Tony Gray scoring from beyond the area with a volley that would have been shown again and again on Match of the Day.
Southport made it four with Josh Hine scoring towards the end.
The half dozen Railway fans were in good voice right up to the final whistle and did their team proud. Leigh played good football which was nice to see after the game on Staurday.
Holmes had a great game and the back four were in control for the whole match.
MOTM: Tony Gray (another super goal)
Popular Side Pundit: At home
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Southport 1 Redditch 1
Southport started brightly on a grey and windy day at Haig Ave. Southport passed the ball well and advanced unhindered down the wings, Redditch's back four towered over Tony Gray but he got the better of them and scored a quite spectacular goal to put Southport in the lead. Powell and Blakeman both started and with Prince injured it left the subs bench rather uninspiring. In the second half Redditch were very physical, with elbows and hard tackles as well as the shirt pulling and holding. Duffy got clattered by a two footed tackle and had to be given a piggy back to the tunnel, he was replaced by Houghton with Gray going on the wing.
The referee seemed to have little control of the game, Southport players had to wait ages for him to personally bring them back on the pitch after treatment. Southport played with 10 men for a while. Redditch equalised by a penalty. There was always hope of a winning goal but it was Drench that made more saves. There were more fouls on the pitch, some of which the referee decided to punish. Towards the end two Redditch players were sent off (and so was their manager) and the keeper booked for time wasting. There was another nasty tackle on a Southport player at the end with the referee choosing to blow for full time rather than punish the player.
As the players were leaving the pitch a fracas broke out with officials, stewards, players and coaches all joining in. A disgraceful end to a match that was allowed to decend into thuggery.
Southport didn't lose but should have won. With less than 900 in the crowd and the squad at its bare bones it is ideal fodder for the doomsayers who love to see the club fail.
MOTM: Tony Gray (for his goal)
Popular Side Pundit: "This lot wont win anything"
The referee seemed to have little control of the game, Southport players had to wait ages for him to personally bring them back on the pitch after treatment. Southport played with 10 men for a while. Redditch equalised by a penalty. There was always hope of a winning goal but it was Drench that made more saves. There were more fouls on the pitch, some of which the referee decided to punish. Towards the end two Redditch players were sent off (and so was their manager) and the keeper booked for time wasting. There was another nasty tackle on a Southport player at the end with the referee choosing to blow for full time rather than punish the player.
As the players were leaving the pitch a fracas broke out with officials, stewards, players and coaches all joining in. A disgraceful end to a match that was allowed to decend into thuggery.
Southport didn't lose but should have won. With less than 900 in the crowd and the squad at its bare bones it is ideal fodder for the doomsayers who love to see the club fail.
MOTM: Tony Gray (for his goal)
Popular Side Pundit: "This lot wont win anything"
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