New faces to bolster Yellows
SOUTHPORT’S game with Telford United was postponed last weekend after a waterlogged surface was deemed unsafe for play.
The Sandgrounders, who drew 1-1 with United in the reverse fixture back in October, are now 18th in the table and just one point above the relegation zone.
Telford, on the other hand, are five points below Kevin Davies’ (pictured) men as they occupy second-bottom in the division. The fixture has been rearranged for Tuesday 13th March, causing a scheduling dilemma for Southport who will now have to sandwich the game between the visit of Tamworth and a trip to York.
Before Saturday’s game was due to be played, Davies continued to bring new faces into Haig Avenue as he secured loan deals for Ross Sykes, who had his loan spell at the club cut short last month, and Mekhi McLeod.
Sykes, a defender, made six appearances for the club during his first period with the club and picked up Southport’s Player of the Month award for his solid performances in Davies’ backline.
Fans and management alike were disappointed after Sykes was recalled by Accrington due to a spell of injuries at the League Two club, but after a change of circumstances the deal was able to be reignited.
McLeod started his career at Wolves before joining Rangers in Scotland but had found himself plying his trade at Billericay before being signed by Stanley.
He can operate both as a winger and behind the striker and will be hoping to make his debut as Southport travel to Gainsborough on Saturday.
The two sides contested a 2-2 draw in Kevin Davies’ first game charge back in October.
MAWDESLEY’S unbeaten run came to an unexpected end, as mid-table Southport managed to topple the first division champions 5-3 in week 13 of the ‘Master Lock & Safe’ Southport and District Badminton League.
Wins in both of the men’s doubles matches and one of the women’s doubles complete the shock result, and has given all of Mawdesley’s hope that this title race for the league’s top prize is still up for grabs.
Signs of a possible upset came clear early on as Southport’s top mixed doubles pair Steve Taylor and Rachel Softley ousted Rick Wallbank and Jen Rigby in three tight sets 21-10, 18-21, 22-20.
But once Mawdesley’s Steven Andrews and Emily Broadbent quickly levelled, it looked as if form would return for the first division leaders.
But the remaining mixed doubles clashes were split, with both of them ending in three sets.
The turning point was in the men’s doubles as Southport took both of them.
Steve Taylor and Simon Bruford put in a strong performance to defeat Rick Wallbank and Lee Williams 22-20, 22-16. It was an almost identical scoreline for Paul Sykes and Mike Bebby, who were narrow winners over Steven Andrews and Luke Eckersley 22-20, 21-17.
In the women’s doubles, Mawdesley gave themselves hope of salvaging a draw as Fay Andrews and Rachel Graham comfortably saw off Annette and Rachel Softley 21-12, 21-14. But it was not enough in the end, as Southport’s Debbie Balmforth and Christelle Leboe confirmed victory in three thrilling sets 21-15, 11-21, 21-18.
All three members of the chasing pack made the most of this result, as Woodvale, Churchtown and Victoria Hall all collected three points in their respective matches. Woodvale took care of West End Park 6-2 to narrow the gap from the leaders to just two points.
As for Churchtown and Victoria Hall, their 7-1 and 6-2 away wins at Woodvale II and Churchtown II extended their slim hopes of a league title for another week.
Meanwhile, Burscough Pioneers took down Southport’s second team 6-2 in a battle of the bottom two.
The aim of a double Ormskirk promotion in division three looks to have fallen away, as their second team suffer another defeat.
However, it was at the hands of their own first team, who now just require a couple more wins to secure promotion.
That result felt even worse, as Hesketh Bank’s narrow 5-3 win over fourth-place side Tarleton II meant Ormskirk II are now four points behind the second promotion spot.
At the opposite end of the third division table, Southsands II jump out of the bottom two for the time being.
Their winning draw over Burscough Pioneers II now puts Churchtown III into the relegation zone.
As for Woodvale IV, their 7-1 win against bottom side Southport IV moves them up into sixth place.
Crosby made a significant move in the fourth division title race after producing a perfect 8-0 win over division leaders Mawdesley IV.
A strong run of results has put Crosby firmly into the promotion picture.
This white-wash victory over the first place side, now puts Crosby in the driving seat as a win from their game in hand will see them take the top spot.
Just behind them are Tarleton III, who worked hard to secure a winning draw over fourth place side Woodvale V.
A couple of tight three-set wins was the key to Tarleton adding two more points to their tally.
Southport V and Formby II produced a highly-entertaining encounter, and it saw bottom side Southport collect only their second win of the season 5-3. That result now puts West End Park III into last place.
Their 6-2 defeat to top half side Ormskirk III now gives them one less match to begin any possible run to surviving the drop.
It was quite a memorable week for bottom half side St. Cuthberts II, as they both collected 5-3 wins over Osmkirk III and Southsands III.
It wins all-round for the top three sides in division two.
Promotion back into division one is close to becoming reality for leaders Victoria Hall, after their 6-2 win over Southport III.
Southsands remain one point behind them after producing an impressive 7-1 win at Mawdesley II.
That loss for Mawdesley sees Woodvale III overtake them for fourth place, after they brushed aside West End Park’s second team 6-2.
Despite being five points off the top two, Tarleton continue to live in hope as they collected an 8-0 win.
In division five, Churchtown IV move a further two points clear of the rest of the field after their 8-0 win against a Southport VI side that remain in the bottom two.
Churchtown’s gap at the top was extended by a couple of points, due to the losing draw by second place Tarleton IV. Winning three of the last four matches salvaged the promotion chasers a crucial point.
Looking to overtake them were Woodvale VI.
Sadly they fell 5-3 to St. Cuthberts III, who are now on the same points.
For bottom side Southport VII, it was a heart-braking 5-3 loss to mid-table side Hesketh Bank II.
It was a happy week for all the top half sides in the sixth division, as they all came out victorious.
Leaders Woodvale VII managed to avoid a potential upset, as they came out narrow 5-3 winners over bottom half side Southport VIII.
Staying two points behind them in second place are Ormskirk IV, who produced a welldeserved 6-2 win against relegation threatened side West End Park IV.
Chasing sides Churchtown V and Southsands IV avoided losing further ground over the top two, after securing comfortable wins at Woodvale VIII and Hesketh Bank III respectively.
As for Crosby II, they pulled away from the bottom half sides after winning 7-1 against bottom side Southsands V.
In division seven, it was a week to forget for the league’s bottom side St. Cuthberts V. A 7-1 and 8-0 defeat to top two sides Formby III and St. Cuthberts IV respectively further extends their perfect losing record.
For more info, be sure to check out the league’s official website, www.southportbadminton.com as well as the latest news, results and league tables. Also, make sure you like the league’s official Facebook page.