Southport 3 Stafford Rangers 2

Only 40 seconds in and Southport were a goal down and on the back foot. After 25 minutes of hoofing the ball about Southport were 2 goals down and looked like they would conceed a lot more.
It was a terrible performance with no hope...
Watson made a first half substitution taking James Connolly off and bring on Neil Prince, changing to a 352 formation. Desperation surely...
Within minutes of Prince coming on he had scored and Southport went on the attack. A couple of minutes later Steve Daly scored, and a minute after that he did it again. Three goals in three minutes!
Half time came and the fans were in a good mood for once.
The second half didnt live up to the first, no goals.
It was a good game overall. Stafford were a very good side. It was great to see Prince back in yellow and playing well. Southport will have to play a lot better on Tuesday.

MOTM: Neil Prince, (Robbie Booth)

Southport 3 Burscough 0

There was a hint of mist about tonight. A good crowd of just under 1000 came for the postponed New Years day derby. Chris Holland returned to Haig Ave in green for St Patricks Day.
The game was fairly even in the first half up to the last 10 minutes when Southport started dominating. Adam Flynn scored from a corner 5 minutes before the half time whistle.
In the second half with Robbie Booth playing up front as a striker rather than on the wing Southport were a lot more threatening. Obviously under orders to shoot on sight the Port attacked. Matty McGinn, having a great game, scored Southports second, a very nice goal.
Bootha nd Kilheeney were subbed for Smart and Leadbetter and the attack continued. Leadbetter almost scored a couple of times but it was Alan Smart who got the third goal 15 minutes before the end.
The attacking football certainly got the crowd backing the team again.

MOTM Robbie Booth (and Matty McGinn)

Southport 1 Farsley Celtic 0

It was sunny with blue skies and a cold wind today. After scoring 5 on Thursday I expected goals today at Haig Ave.
Two former players returned today, Kevin Leadbetter for Southport and Dominic Krief for Celtic. Both players would have good games.
Southport dominated the possession and Celtic looked every bit the side that had let in 5 goals in their previous match. Their strikers didn't look at all threatening.
Southport started well with Leady playing behind Daly and Kilheeney. But as half time came there was no sign of a goal from either team.
Daly was subbed at half time, and Robbie Booth came on. Booth had scored twice on Thursday and looked good. Playing on the right wing he again had plenty of space. After a shaky start he made some dangerous runs down the wing and put some good crosses in. Unfortunately the ball was not played down the wings often enough despite Booth and Leady making the most of the opportunities they had.
The crowd were getting frustrated. There was the first call of the season for Watson to resign and lots of frustrated cries for the ball to be played on the ground. It was 10 minutes before the end that Southport managed to score, man of the moment Robbie Booth getting his third goal in 3 days.
When the final whistle went there were cheers and boos. The general concensus was that Southport were rubbish and it was a terrible match. I dont think it was that bad, the manager and coaches need to do some work on the good aspects of the match.

MOTM: First half: Leady Second Half: Booth

Marine 1 Southport 5 Liverpool Senior Cup

I was one of the first Southport fans at Marines ground tonight. There weren't many people that bothered to come out to watch this match, fewer than last year.
The team Southport put out was a mixture of first team players like Davis, Lever, Booth, Gray and Powell, youth players like Peter Moore and John Hedges, coaches Price and Smart and out of favour keeper Drench. A strong starting line up.
It was the tiny John Hedges who took the lead just 29 seconds into the game. His lead didn't last long with Marine equalising with Shaun Tuck's goal after 9 minutes. There were three more Southport goals in the first half two from Robbie Booth, who had had a lot of the ball, and one from Shaun Whalley.
There were three subs in the second half and just one more goal from Shaun Gray. There were few highlights in the second half other than the goal. Both teams came together to discuss a Southport foul and there were a few bookings following that.

MOTM Robbie Booth

Southport 2 Gateshead 3

It was a grey day and a grey first half. Michael Powell put the side ahead 5 minutes before the end of a boring first half.
The second half was better, Gateshead drew level and with Kilheeney on Southport looked more likely to score. I thought Kilheeney got the next goal but the players obviously thought Steve Daly scored it. At 2:1 Southport should have been comfortable but a poor clearance from McMillan and a desperate tackle from Earl on the edge of the area gave Gateshead a penalty. 2:2 would have been a fair result but Gateshead went for the win and were rewarded for their efforts with a goal 8 minutes. Southport tried to get an equaliser but ran out of time.

Southport dont have any flair. There are no players like Baker, Duffy, Prince, Holland etc and Leady was out injured. Southport look average and its hard to see how they can win the league or even get into the play offs playing like this.
Southport need to play two strikers and need some pace on the wings. The team looked better when they passed the ball on the ground but they clearly aren't used to it and need some practice.

MOTM: no one

Southport 0 Hinkley 0

I didnt have much enthusiasm for the drive up to Southport tonight and I left there wondering if I could have spent my time more constructively.

Hinkley started brightly and their forwards easily beat Southports defence. Southport were again playing with Daly alone upfront and didnt look much like scoring. They did get the ball in the net once but it was ruled off-side. Daly had a good chance to score but headed tamely at the keeper. Duffy, still with us, made some good runs with the ball but Morecambe will have to teach him what to do next. Hinkley played a physical game while Southport hoofed he ball upfield to no one. The crowd blamed the referee but in truth Southport were poor.

In the second half Southport had more possession but Hinkley were over all the better side. Neither side found the net despite both having plenty of chances. Duffy came off for Booth. Robinson came on in the last two minutes. More than a few people were regretting the club releasing Tony Gray.

The final whistle couldnt come fast enough. Nil Nil again, no sign of a game plan other than hoofing the ball up field...last seasons squad was said to be too light weight, so what is the excuse this time?

Must do better if they want to make the play offs and win promotion.

MOTM Kevin Lee

Southport 2 Hyde United 0

It was cold but there was some blue sky today. Former Southport stars Farrell Kilbane and Neil FitzHenry returned to Haig Ave with Hyde.
Southport had most of the possession and chances in the first half but with Kilheeny on the bench and Robinson injured, Daly had to do all the work himself. Southport should have scored at least 3 in the first half but had to make do with a single goal, announced as an own goal but Kevin Lee and Steve Daly should get the credit.
Hyde were better int he second half, captain Kilbane leading his line effectively. Kilheeney and Duffy came on in and for a short while Southport looked more threatening. Kilheeney was stretchered off not long after he came on. Steve Daly made sure of the win with a second goal after a one-on-one with the keeper.

Southport will need to look at their formation when they are lacking in strikers. The passing was poor today but Southport took the points and the title challenge is back on.

MOTM Matty McGinn

Burscough 2 Southport 3

The sky was clear this Boxing Day as we walked up to Burscough for the Lancashire Derby. It was an important game for me as I managed to bet more than I can afford on a Southport win. With us second in the league and Burscough not winning at home all season and in the relegation zone, it was easy money...
Its well known that most of the Southport personnel came from Burscough but it was a nice surprise to see Steve Dickinson in goal for Burscough.
The first half was even, neither side looking much like scoring. The only goal came from Steve Daly but it wont be one kids will be recreating in the playground, the ball barely trickled over the line.
Half time came and went, the queue for the tea wasn't worth the effort.
Burscough were improved in the second half but former Port legend Dicko gifted Southport a second goal passing the ball to a yellow shirt (old habits die hard) with Kilheeney scoring. Southport were time wasting with avengance. There may have been over 20 minutes to play but Southport were in no mood to play football. Burscough scored a scrappy goal and put the pressure back on Southport. Matty McGinn looked to have scored the last goal of the match making it 3:1 to Southport but despite (or maybe because of) the Ports time wasting the referee let play continue well into extra time and gave Burscough a penalty. With Southport ordered to waste even more time I held my breath until the final whistle. Southport won the 3 points and I won my bets.
It was a poor game, Southport were as bad defensively as the last game but much poorer in attack. The time wasting was embarrasing. Still we got the points and can carry on the push for promotion. Hopefully with Connolly and Lever back in the side things will improve. It will take better performances than that to win the league.
MOTM: Matty McGinn

Southport 5 Gainsborough Trinity 3

With Southports strikers on form I hoped for goals and wasn't disappointed. Southport got off to a dream start scoring 3 goals in the first 15 minutes. Ashley Winn scoring on his home debut after just 58 seconds.
You would think such a start would make the Southport fans happy but some are always hoping for the worst. What was worse than listening to them predicting the downfall of the 3 goal lead was watching the three Gainsborough goals going in to prove them right. The Southport defence was missing Lever and Connolly and was largely terrible. The crowd were quick to boo their team and shout abuse at the manager and keeper.
Luckily the midfield and forwards made up for the defensive failings and scored the goals to win the game.
The match ended 5:3, 8 goals and an entertaining game.

MOTM Ashely Winn
Popular Side Pundit: (at 3:2) "Its lucky they got the third goal or they could be losing 3:2"

Southport 2 Kings Lynn 1

The skies were clear over Haig Ave today as chevrons of geese migrated high above. Southport started well in the first half but made things hard for themselves by scoring an own goal against the run of play. Adam Flynn headed the ball (which looked to be going out for a goal kick) into his own net but the goal was announced as a King Lynn goal to save his blushes.
Steve Daly leveled the score and Ciaran Kilheeney took the lead with his.
After half time Southport didn't dominate the game in the same way. Twice Southport were down to 10 men as first Moogan then Neil Robinson left to receive treatment. The referee didn't get a grip of the game and ignored Kings Lynn players when they held, tripped and pulled the shirts of Southport players. More importantly he ignored a two footed challenge from behind on Matty McGinn, and after another bad challenge only gave a yellow card for a third challenge that took Duffy off his feet. No one could have argued with a red card. The referee soon blew for the end of the game to avoid any more upset.
Southport won the points but two people spoilt the game, the referee and the moaning git behind me who never has a good word to say about Southport FC.

MOTM: Matty McGinn

Southport 0 Workington 0

The weather was a vast improvement on the last two games, clear skies but cold.
The first half was poor with Southports onloan keeper having little to do, likewise his counterpart wasnt troubled much.
The second half was an improvement with Southport putting on the pressure and increasing the pace. Daly came on for Robinson and then later Doolan came on for Barnes and Booth for Duffy. Unfortunately despite a number of corners Southport couldnt score. The young linesman went crimson when he had to decide on a penalty claim but he held his nerve and turned down the claim of handball.
More leadership is needed on the pitch and more options in the centre midfield. Barnes should be signed for the rest of the season and he needs to be used more.
MOTM: Moogan but hard to pick anyone out of this game.

Southport 2 Redditch 3

The rain held off for the first half and Southport started brightly. Southport had most of the possession and attacked Redditch and were rewarded with two goals from Michael Powell and Mark Duffy. Southport looked to be in control and heading for a repeat of Tuesday nights 5:2 win. But Southport lost their dominance, the game turned scrappy and Redditch were gifted a goal when Southports keeper and defender both went for the ball and neither got it.
Rather than improving after the half time Southport were worse. The rain started so the Jack Carr stand was home to the Popular Side refugees. Mark Duffy dived in the box and got a penalty for his effort but Kilheeney hit the bar.
Redditch took control and scored two more goals with Southport only looking like they could be bothered in the dying moments of the game.
Watson replaced an attacking player with a defender which did nothing to improve the game. When the game was crying out for Tony Gray, Watson did nothing, only bringing him on with 8 minutes to go. The ball spent most of its time in the air rarely touching the pitch.
Blame was equally divided between manager Watson and keeper Tony McMillan.
Hard to pick a man of the match, Chris Lever, Kevin Lee and Mark Duffy had a good first half. Alan Moogan and Neil Robinson worked hard but neither got the goal they deserved.
Another poor attendance and no reason to come back.

Southport 5 Vauxhall Motors 2

The rain tonight was terrible, I wondered why I was going out of the house let alone to go and stand outside and watch nonleague football. There was rain, hail, and thunder. The Popular side was closed, not that many would have been out there. The players came out and then quickly ran back in again to the boos of the crowd. Someone somewhere heard the fans and the rain stopped allowing the game to start.
Those who had left their TVs at home to come out on a rain sodden night were soon rewarded when a Motors back pass floundered in a puddle and was rescued by Kilheeney who scored less than 2 minutes into the game. Shortly after Neil Robinson put the ball int he net but was denied his goal by the linesman. Robbo was not to be denied for long and scored a great goal a quarter of an hour in.
Vauxhall scored while Southport were still talking about Neils goal, to make it 2:1. Robbo scored again to take Southport into halftime winning 3:1.
The rain started again at halftime.
Former Southport player Nick Rogan made it 3:2 with a great goal infront of the Jack Carr stand. But Southport were better in attack than defence and sub Tony Gray came on and scored followed soon after by Kevin Lee who scored his second of the season.
While Southport scored five goals, and players like Steve Daly and Mike Powell came close to scoring, Southport have to remember they were knocked of the top spot by Tamworth on goal difference. Chances have to be taken and the defence tightened up especially after a Southport goal.
Southport's new signing Michael Barnes played well and looks to be a very promising signing.
Vauxhall didnt give up and played till the end with Nick Rogan and Karl Noon upfront.

MOTM Neil Robinson

Southport 3 Solihull Moors 0

The weather forecast for today was terrible and after the likewise gloomy reports of the last home game at Haig Ave it was more through duty than enjoyment that I went to todays game. The first half was pretty dire. A lot of people in the crowd were chatting amongst themselves, reading the programme or just yawning, those paying attention were getting frustrated with the lack of action. Watson had said though that the game wasn't about the first 15 minutes and 41 minutes into the first half Southport took the lead. Kilheeney heading home from a Mark Duffy cross. Duffy was the only bright spark in the first half, it is a great shame that he is likely to leave us for Morecambe soon.
As the rain came down the second half started. Southport were much improved, a spell 15
minutes in saw the ball cleared from the goal line. The Moors keeper did a great job of keeping the score down. Southport scored again from a free kick, Moogan showing why he deserves a place in the starting 11. Steve Daly came on an almost immediately scored with a cheeky back heel.
Southport should maybe have scored more but the match ended 3:0.

MOTM: Mark Duffy

Southport 3 Hucknall Town 0

Who said the summer was over? It was sunny and warm at Haig Ave today, the pub gardens of Southport were tempting but I went to stand in the sun on the terraces.
Last time I saw Hucknall I poisoned a Panamanian and Liam Blakeman scored some brilliant goals as Southport beat them 5-0 (i think). Today there were no Panamanians but still plenty of goals.
Kilheeney scored a goal that he wont be putting on his top 100 list. Daly hit the cross bar and Kilheeney waited to tap it over the line. The second goal, also scored by Kilheeney, was a better spectacle and reminiscent of Terry Fearns, with Mark Duffy doing the build up work.
Matty McGinn got Southport's third before half time.
Mark Duffy was the stand out player until his substitution in the second half. Robbie Booth and Matty McGinn had a good second half. Moogan is a much more effective player than Doolan, although he did fade towards the end. It is easy to see why he was banned for 6 matches last season.
Steve Daly was substituted in the second half and he will be disappointed with himself for not getting n the scoresheet. Michael Powell had three good chances but there were no more goals.
Hucknall had their chances but did not make anything of them. It is obvious why they are bottom of the league and we are top.

MOTM Mark Duffy.

Southport 0 Alfreton 1

This was one of the worst games I have seen at Haig Ave. The game swung from boring to bad with the odd appearance from AirShow to give some interest. Southport couldnt get anything right today, only Mark Duffy showed any sign of playing football and by the second half his crossing had got as bad as his team mates. He did have the best chance of a goal when he sent the ball screaming over the cross bar. It is no consolation that the goal was offside. Most fans thought Davis had equalised but the linesman had had his flag up for ages before the goal.
A terrible game best forgotten.

MOTM Mark Duffy.

Southport 1 Fleetwood Town 1

The warm sunshine in Liverpool didn't stretch as far Southport today and most of the game was played in light rain.
The Southport line up was familiar to those who have been to see them this season, with Booth on the left wing.
Fleetwood had Southport favourite Farrel Kilbane in their line up and it was good to see him back at Haig Ave. The attendance was boosted by a decent away following.
Fleetwood started well and were soon in the lead with a rocket of a volley. They should have got another when Connolly headed the ball to the Fleetwood striker rather than clearing it. Luckily the shot was off target.
Luckily for everyone Duffy is still a Southport player and he drew the score level before half time.
The pitch was increasinly wet in the second half as the rain continued. Both sides had plenty of chances from open play and corners/free kicks. The frustrated Southport fans turned their attention to the linesman and referee rather than their own players.
The winning goal never came and the Fleetwood fans left happier than the home fans.

MOTM: Mark Duffy

I bought the Complete NonLeague History of Southport FC today, very impressed with its size and the amount of text, not had much chance to look at it yet and have only spotted one typing mistake so far. Very good!

Southport 1 Harrogate Town 0

It was quite windy today at Haig Ave. Drench was at the ground but was not even on the bench again and is not listed in the programme as being a Southport player. McMillan has become the target of the usual internet campaign. Kevin Lee started the match in his new right back position.
There was only one goal in the 90minutes today, Kilheeney scoring his first league for Southport. There were plenty of chances for both sides. Harrogate were a good side with some very short players.
Over all it wasn't a great game. Southport played very deep and the whole side had trouble clearing the ball. Only Mark Duffy seeming interested in going forward. McMillan saved the points for his team with some brilliant saves.
Southport need to improve on set pieces, I cant see us scoring many goals from corners this season.
Hopefully the return of Moogan will improve midfield which was poor again.

MOTM: Mark Duffy
Floating Support Comment: "Waste of money, like watching paint dry, we're not coming back again"

Southport 2 Blyth Spartans 1

After a 45 minute delay Southport kicked off their first home game of the season. Kevin Lee was at right back and is working hard to adapt to the new role. He clearly appreciated the applause as he took his place.
Southport had a few shots in the first half, two from McGinn and Kilheeney should maybe have scored from at least one chance. The goal came from super Kevin Lee.
Just before half time the score was equalised when Southport keeper McMillan ran out into a scrum of players leaving his goal open for Andrew Leeson to score.
Both sides looked for the win in the second half. Tony Gray executed one of his over head kicks but the shot was tipped over the bar. He got his goal eventually 5 minutes before the end. Southport held on and claimed all three points.

MOTM: Tony Gray (it would have been Kevin Lee but he was subbed in the first half.)

PreSeason Southport 1 Rochdale 2

Not many Southport fans bothered to go to Haig Ave today to watch the last pre-season game, against Rochdale. It was a gloriously sunny day today and Southport started today as they finished Wednesdays match against Wigan. Duffy and Noone were on the wings again and Gray and Kilheeney were up front. Kevin Lee was at right back in what could be his last Southport game.
Southport had a good first half with plenty of possession and chances. Michael Powell got the ball in the net after a goal mouth scramble.
The second half didn't carry on in the same style as the first. Rochdale looked a better side and Southport's substitutions didnt improve the game.
Rochdale scored two very good goals to end the game 2-1.
Noone was the best Southport players today. Daly will be disappointed again with his performance. Tony Gray looks to be the best striker.