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"