Another grim loss as end of the road nears
ANOTHER defeat for Southport and another step towards the inevitable. The Sandgrounders suffered their 11th home loss of a torrid season as Macclesfield Town scored twice in as many first-half minutes to inflict more misery on Andy Preece’s team.
Not even a fine strike from Ryan Higgins could restore any pride for Southport, whose fans will no doubt be relieved that only five matches of the campaign now remain.
Through to the final of the Buildbase FA Trophy and with a chance of still reaching the Vanarama National League play-offs, Macclesfield were dominant for most of the game.
Having taken an early lead, the visitors controlled possession and were able to almost play within themselves.
Macclesfield dropped deeper as the match went on, allowing Southport to see more of the ball and belatedly apply some pressure, but the home team never looked like finding the craft needed to force an equaliser.
There was a air of simplicity to Macclesfield’s two goals, Neil Byrne, the former Southport defender, scoring the first on 14 minutes as he jumped highest inside the area to head home a right-wing cross from Danny Whitaker.
And Anthony Dudley promptly added a second, connecting with a centre from Andy Halls to exploit the lack of any Southport marking.
At that stage, it looked like being a long evening for Southport, as the visitors played the ball around at their own pace without the urgency to increase their advantage.
Southport had failed to make any impression on the Macclesfield defence but Higgins reduced the arrears three minutes before halftime, dispatching a superb 30-yard strike after good work from Jamie Allen to present him with the chance.
Macclesfield spent most of the second half in possession and came within inches of adding a third when Macreth’s cross from the right was headed onto the crossbar by Mitch Hancox at the end of a sweeping move.
Chris Cheetham, making his debut in the Southport goal, saved a pile-driver from Byrne before Hancox and Dudley sent chances over the crossbar.
As Macclesfield dropped off, so the home team were able to apply some pressure but they failed to create anything in the way of a clear chance. MANAGER Andy Preece admitted Tuesday evening’s opponents Macclesfield were simply too good for Southport.
“They [Macclesfield] are a good side – probably the best side we’ve faced since I’ve been here,” said Preece.
“Tactically, we tried to do something different as we felt we might be able to expose them a little bit. We knew we’d have a weakness doing that and they exploited that.
“We really struggled for the first 20 minutes to get to grips with the game.
“We did have it wrong because they exposed us better than we could do to them.
“That’s probably down to the quality of their players and their understanding of how their system works.
“They have had that continuity with players. They have used the least amount of players in the league. It makes a huge difference because they know what they are doing.
“You could tell by the way they moved the ball – everything they did was fluid.
“They gave us a bit of a lesson but once we changed it we got back into the game.
“In the second half we gave it a go and that’s all I can ask of the players.
“If we lose games but we’ve given it a fight, then I’ll have no complaints. It was a kick in the teeth though for everyone.”
There was a scare for Southport prior to kick-off as goalkeeper Craig King was recalled from his loan spell at the last minute, meaning Preece had to call up Skelmersdale’s Chris Cheetham to stand in.
Cheetham is currently on a dual contract agreement between the two Merseyside clubs and Preece was grateful for his strong performance on Saturday.
Southport were also without Jack Higgins, who has picked up a groin injury and could miss the remainder of the season.
“King got called back. He’s been one of my most consistent players but last minute, they called him back.
“It’s not ideal but we have to deal with it,” said Preece.
“Chris [Cheetham] came in and did really well. He’s been playing at Skelmersdale and has had no experience of this level before. He couldn’t do anything about the goals and outside of that, I thought he did really well.
“Higgins has got a tear in his groin. He had a scan and had all the results back but we don’t know the extent of the tear from the results on Thursday.
“He won’t play Saturday and if he played on Tuesday it would probably put him at more risk if there’s a chance he might be able to play again this season.
“The rest gives him a better chance.”
Southport return to action on Saturday when they take on Sutton and Preece hopes to see a similar level of commitment from his players.
“The lads fought well [against Macclesfield] and that’s what needs to be the minimum between now and the end of the season,” said Preece.
“We’ve got five games left which is a possible 15 points. Would 49 points be good enough to keep us up? Maybe, but maybe not.
“While that is a possibility we will keep fighting.”