Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Southport 1 Stalybridge Celtic 0

Southport head into the play offs with form on their side. Most of Southport was at home watching the Liverpool Chelsea match but there wasa good crowd at Haig Ave. There were lots of scally youths on the popular side and hoping to smoke enough to impress someone of the opposite sex enough to get lucky and have a chance of a teen pregnancy. At least my car was safe while they were running about behind the terraces.
On the pitch the game was well matched and lively. It was end to end stuff and Southport took the lead with a strike from Liam Blakeman after half an hour. In the second half Southport were forced to use their substitutions with Holland, Duffy and Prince going off injured. Prince was stretchered off but hopefully, given he has movement in the knee, it isnt as bad as it might have looked. Both sides had chances to increase the score but Southport hung on in the 5 minutes of extra time to win this leg and go to Stalybridge on Sunday with a one goal lead.

MOTM Neil Prince.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Vauxhall Motors 1 Southport 2

Today Southport needed a win to put them in the play offs. Vauxhall are already relegated from the Conference to the Unibond.
The ground was full of Southport fans and it wasnt until half time that I saw a home supporter.
The first half was all Southport, but there were only two goals to show for the dominance. Both goals were scored in the first 8 minutes. Neil Prince and Tony Gray boths cored within a few minutes of each other.
The second half didnt match up to the first. Motors scored from a free kick, the first time they had been into the Southport half in the second 45 minutes. Once they had scored they pushed for an equaliser but scoring has been a problem for Vauxhall this season and they didnt manage to spoil Southports party.
Duffy faded and was subbed, with a more defensive Mike Powell coming on to protect the lead.
Eventually the ref blew for the end of the match and Southport took the three points and their ticket to the play offs.

MOTM Neil Prince.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Southport 2 Leigh RMI 0

The last home game of the season...maybe.

It wasn't a great game but Southport scored two pretty amazing goals. Tony Gray scored with an overhead kick and Liam Blakeman blasted his in.

The Leigh fans worked harder than their players but Leigh didnt play like a team that had been beaten.

On to Vauxhall for the last game of the league season.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Southport 1 Alfreton 0

As the sun set over the Jack Carr stand Southport kicked off looking to get 3 points to give themselves a chance save their season. There were 15 away fans behind the goal and less than 800 in the ground altogether. The free ticket offer hasn't brought the crowds in.

The first half was pretty poor. Alfretons strikers easily beat Southports back four and it was only Drench and their own ineptness that stopped the scoring. Drench caused a few panics and at times Southport were their own worst enemy. Southport had their chances but couldnt get the ball over the line.
Somehow it was 0-0 at half time and Brabins team were boo-ed off the pitch.
The second half wasn't much of an improvement. But Rae managed to get the points for Southport with a fierce shot. Southport hung on and took the points. Alfretons fans will be disappointed they were not winning by three or four at half time.

MOTM Rae for his goal though he didnt do much else.
Popular Side Pundit "Worst game of the season"

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Southport 0 Kettering 1

The morning the weather was terrible, sleet and rain and gusty wind, but after lunch the skies cleared and the sun came out.
Southport sacked yet another manager so it was another debut game for a new Southport manager. Southports opponents today were league champions Kettering and their fans were on the terraces singing and celebrating.
Southport had a huddle before kick off and from kick off had the majority of the possession. The midfield passed the ball about well and the defence looked composed. Scoring hasn't been a problem for a while but today Southport just couldnt get a goal. Half time 0-0.
As has happened before this season Southport couldnt carry their good play into the second half. Kettering upped their game a bit and Southport couldnt dominate the possesion as they had in the first 45. Kettering's set pieces were far more effective than Southports and it was from a free kick they scored their goal.
Southport had 4 or 5 corners at the end of the game but didnt cause the Ketting Keeper any problems.
Southport lost again but there were no boos and most people seemed not to mind losing to the Champions.

MOTM Chris Holland
Popular Side Pundit: Not there.