Thursday, July 31, 2008
Pre Season Southport 2 Wigan 2
A warm evening at Haig Ave tonight, Kevin Lee was with the team before the match but played no part in it. No sign of Drench tonight. Wigans team looked like the other reserve sides Southport have played this pre-season. Southport played the first half with quite a defensive formation with Doolan, Price, and Powell in midfield. Daly and Gray were up front. Southport had plenty of posession and spent much of the first 45 minuts in Wigan's half. Daly should have got at least one goal. Two terrible defensive mistakes gifted Wigan their two goals. Had Wigan not scored the second goal they should have been given a penalty for a foul in the goal mouth. Chris Lever had a good first half and made some good tackles. Luckily for the few fans who decided not to watch Liverpool on TV, the second half was an improvement. With Duffy and Noone on the wings Southport attacked much more efficiently. Duffy in particular stood out as the best player on the pitch, Wigan reserves included. Tony Gray scored the first Southport goal, he should have another great season. Just before the end Kilheeney scored the second with Duffy doing the hard work to get the ball in the box. Duffy, Gray, Lever and Noone stood out tonight. Other players showed the odd bit of skill.I would pick Gray and Kilheeney up front, with Noone and Duffy on the wings. Chris Lever and McGinn as wing backs. As for the rest, no one has stood out for me yet. I would still like Doolan to replaced in midfield with someone with more skill, Chris Holland is a tough act to follow.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Pre-Season Southport 1 Tranmere Rovers 4
Danny Holmes returned to Haig Ave and brought his Tranmere teammates with him this evening. Tranmere looked the best side to come here so far this pre season and it was no surprise they won 4-1. Southport did have plenty of chances though and played well against a good side.
Southports goal was well worked between Daly and Robinson, with Daly scoring his first goal since returning. Doolan again swore and barracked Chris Lever who didnt look happy tonight. Robbie Booth played his first game since returning and could keep Duffy on the bench this season. No game for Drench or Lee tonight.
Southport need a centre midfield player that can take the ball up to the strikers. Someone like Baker or Blakeman.
Tranmere's travelling fans were singing incomprehensible songs about scousers and enjoyed themselves. Southports fans were at home watching Bonekickers.
A good game but I cant wait for the first meaningful league game.
Southports goal was well worked between Daly and Robinson, with Daly scoring his first goal since returning. Doolan again swore and barracked Chris Lever who didnt look happy tonight. Robbie Booth played his first game since returning and could keep Duffy on the bench this season. No game for Drench or Lee tonight.
Southport need a centre midfield player that can take the ball up to the strikers. Someone like Baker or Blakeman.
Tranmere's travelling fans were singing incomprehensible songs about scousers and enjoyed themselves. Southports fans were at home watching Bonekickers.
A good game but I cant wait for the first meaningful league game.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Pre Season: Southport 1 Manchester City 1
Despite what the people at the Open were saying the weather was nice at Haig Ave, sunny but a bit windy. And despite the hopes of the papers and promoters there weren't any famous names on the City team sheet.
Southport scored early on, Tony Gray again. Other than that there was little of interest in the game. Drench was the best Southport player making some good saves and making a few fans regret his transfer status.
City looked better in the second half and put more pressure on Southport and were rewarded with a goal. They should have scored more, their strikers werent up to much.
Duffy had a shoving contest with a big City player but they were told off and shook hands.
Not a great game, even Watson looked disinterested. The team played well and there wasn't much difference between the sides. The sort of players we need to bring in depends on the clubs ambitions for the season.
Southport scored early on, Tony Gray again. Other than that there was little of interest in the game. Drench was the best Southport player making some good saves and making a few fans regret his transfer status.
City looked better in the second half and put more pressure on Southport and were rewarded with a goal. They should have scored more, their strikers werent up to much.
Duffy had a shoving contest with a big City player but they were told off and shook hands.
Not a great game, even Watson looked disinterested. The team played well and there wasn't much difference between the sides. The sort of players we need to bring in depends on the clubs ambitions for the season.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
PreSeason: Southport 2 Chester City 2
Not too many people came to watch last nights game despite the warm evening sunshine.
The first half had few points of interest, Neil Robinson fell over the keeper and was generously given a penalty (missed by Kilheeney to save arguements), Earl Davis was lucky not to give away a penalty or two at the other end and would have been carded in a league game for some of his tackles from behind. Chester took the lead when Southport keeper failed to deal with a shot kicked straight at him, the ball rebounded off his chest and was easily put away by the waiting Chester player. There were the odd calls for Drench to come on...
John Doolan didnt seem to offer much in midfield, he didnt have much luck passing and was fairly immobile. Judging by his comments to Chris Lever his coaching style leaves a lot to be desired. I dont think the club need him as a player or coach. Chris Price started and could at least run about more than Doolan could.
The second half substitutions improved Southports game. Drench, Lee, Lever and Duffy played well together and with Tony Gray upfront Southport threatened Chesters goal more artfully than the long ball of the first half. Tony Gray went on to score and a second goal was added by captain Mike Powell.
Neil Robinson looked lively when he was on and had a good shot on goal saved. He jumped well and challenged hard for the ball in the air. Southport now seem to have four good strikers at this level. Will Watson have to play 433 just to keep them all happy?
The club announced a new friendly against Manchester City on Saturday so I will have to change my plans and head north rather than south.
The first half had few points of interest, Neil Robinson fell over the keeper and was generously given a penalty (missed by Kilheeney to save arguements), Earl Davis was lucky not to give away a penalty or two at the other end and would have been carded in a league game for some of his tackles from behind. Chester took the lead when Southport keeper failed to deal with a shot kicked straight at him, the ball rebounded off his chest and was easily put away by the waiting Chester player. There were the odd calls for Drench to come on...
John Doolan didnt seem to offer much in midfield, he didnt have much luck passing and was fairly immobile. Judging by his comments to Chris Lever his coaching style leaves a lot to be desired. I dont think the club need him as a player or coach. Chris Price started and could at least run about more than Doolan could.
The second half substitutions improved Southports game. Drench, Lee, Lever and Duffy played well together and with Tony Gray upfront Southport threatened Chesters goal more artfully than the long ball of the first half. Tony Gray went on to score and a second goal was added by captain Mike Powell.
Neil Robinson looked lively when he was on and had a good shot on goal saved. He jumped well and challenged hard for the ball in the air. Southport now seem to have four good strikers at this level. Will Watson have to play 433 just to keep them all happy?
The club announced a new friendly against Manchester City on Saturday so I will have to change my plans and head north rather than south.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Pre Season Southport 1 Liverpool XI 3
Like Pam waking up to find Bobby in the shower we walked into a sunny Haig Ave to find Liam Watson as Southport manager.
There have been big changes at Haig Ave, Watson is back along with McGinn, Daly, and Davis. The biggest change perhaps is the removal of the rotting wood on the terraces, now replaced with new breeze blocks. Gone now is the risk of putting my foot through the floor.
Southport were playing their first pre-season game against a Liverpool XI, mostly reserve players by the looks of it. The crowd was disappointing but Liverpool had played Tranmere the day before and every Liverpool fan I asked had no idea they were playing Southport.
The first half was fairly even without much action at the either goal. Good to see Steve Daly back in a Southport shirt. In the second half Liverpool made some substitutions and they out classed Southport. Southport's chances came from long balls hoofed up to the strikers by-passing an ineffective midfield. Robinson got the team a penalty with a well timed fall and Kilheeney scored his first Southport goal from the spot.
I dont think anything can be learnt about the new Southport team from this game. No player stood out, even Duffy had a quiet game. If the match is anything to go by the fans will miss Chris Holland this season.
There have been big changes at Haig Ave, Watson is back along with McGinn, Daly, and Davis. The biggest change perhaps is the removal of the rotting wood on the terraces, now replaced with new breeze blocks. Gone now is the risk of putting my foot through the floor.
Southport were playing their first pre-season game against a Liverpool XI, mostly reserve players by the looks of it. The crowd was disappointing but Liverpool had played Tranmere the day before and every Liverpool fan I asked had no idea they were playing Southport.
The first half was fairly even without much action at the either goal. Good to see Steve Daly back in a Southport shirt. In the second half Liverpool made some substitutions and they out classed Southport. Southport's chances came from long balls hoofed up to the strikers by-passing an ineffective midfield. Robinson got the team a penalty with a well timed fall and Kilheeney scored his first Southport goal from the spot.
I dont think anything can be learnt about the new Southport team from this game. No player stood out, even Duffy had a quiet game. If the match is anything to go by the fans will miss Chris Holland this season.
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