Port need a cup reprieve
SOUTHPORT boss Alan Lewer is looking for an FA Cup confidence boost to break his side’s run of defeats, in which they have shipped13 goals in three games.
Port’s poor run of form continued against Harrogate Town on Tuesday night as they were beaten 4-1 at the Merseyrail Community Stadium, unable to bounce back from their 3-0 home defeat against Kidderminster Harriers last Saturday afternoon.
Southport will now play their third home game in a row on Saturday when they take on National League North Bradford Park Avenue in the FA Cup second qualifying round (kickoff 3pm).
Lewer stated the competition was hugely important for the club – but Southport could be without a number of key players again.
“The money that can be generated from progressing in the competition is important to any club,” said Lewer.
“Bradford are a decent side. The boys up front are a handful. If we look after that we can go on and win the game of football.
“For Curtis Jones, it could be a ligament problem we don’t know. Andy White stuck out there and he has a broken nose.
“Steve Jennings has had a hamstring problem. He’s got other parts of his body that are playing up for him and Steve Schumacher had to come off with a hamstring problem again too so we will see how they are.”
Lewer was frustrated by his side’s performance on Tuesday after Harrogate scored within 30 seconds of kick-off.
“You can’t give people a two-goal head start,” said Lewer.
“We probably played the best side in the league we’ve faced so far but it was always going to be difficult because you can’t give goals away cheaply.
“You’re on the back foot when you do that. All three of the goals they scored could have been avoided.
“When we got back to 2-1 they were panicking. If we had taken a couple of chances we’d have been favourites to go on and win it but we conceded another sloppy goal.
“You can’t put it into perspective or put it into words.
“The three goals were avoidable that’s for sure but the fans stayed behind the team which was fantastic.
“I don’t think we’ll play a side like that when we play again on Saturday.
“How do you come back from that? You stick together.
“We had a good meeting after the game and they want to stick together. We’re creating chances still which is a positive.
“We’re snatching at things. When your confidence isn’t right you snatch at things and you don’t relax.
“At the end of the day it was a hard one to take but they were a very good side so make no mistake about it.”
Despite the defeat, there was some good news for Southport as they completed the signing of 21-year-old midfielder Nathan Lowe from FC United for an undisclosed fee.
He made his debut during the defeat against Harrogate and has signed a two-year deal with the club.
“Nathan (Lowe) is good on the ball and he likes to pull the trigger from anywhere. He had a great shot in the game,” said Lewer.
“Hopefully he comes in and makes a great addition to the club.”