Bootle off the mark with win
BY AMOS WYNN
AMARI Morgan-Smith scored twice as Southport suffered a 2-0 defeat at Alfreton Town. The loss at North Street becomes the third in a row for Liam Watson’s side, who have also failed to score during that time.
Once again, the Port attack struggled to threaten the opposition, as they failed to cause Jack Atkinson any real trouble in the Alfreton goal.
The opening 45 minutes saw both sides unable to create clear cut chances, with no breakthroughs.
The Port’s only shot on target came
through Reagan Ogle in the ninth minute, with the keeper saving low down to his left.
Alfreton enjoyed more of the ball in the Southport half, but failed to cause too much trouble for Dan Hanford between the sticks.
The Reds’ best opportunity came from a laid off free-kick to Bobby Johnson, who shot directly at the Port keeper.
Russell Benjamin was also shown a yellow card for a late challenge, as the half ended 0-0 and proved to be frustrating for both under the blistering sun.
Only six minutes into the second half, the game saw its first goal as the hosts took the lead.
The ball was nicely flicked across the face of goal by Dominic Smith, with Morgan-Smith with space to tap past the keeper.
Five minutes later, the Reds striker grabbed his second of the game and his sixth of the new season, as he rose high to head in a corner from Johnson.
Frustrations continued to grow for Watson’s side as David Morgan was shown a yellow card for a poor challenge on Morgan-Smith.
The best opportunity in the second half for Southport was from a corner, which Ryan Astles headed over.
Alfreton also had chances to extend their lead, as Johnson blasted a free kick straight into the Port wall, before firing another one over the bar five minutes later.
Those proved to be the last real opportunities for both sides as the game finished 2-0 to the home side.
The double for Morgan-Smith makes it three defeats in a row for Southport, who will hope to improve things in their next game this weekend.
Alfreton Town: Jack Atkinson, Josh Clackstone, Josh Wilde, David Lynch (East 51), Shane Killock, Ryan Qualter, Josh Thacker, Dominic Smith, Danny Clarke, Amari Morgan-Smith, Bobby Johnson.
Goals: Morgan-Smith (51,’ 56’)
Unused Subs: Dale Whitham, Ben Tomlinson, Nyle Blake, Tyler Williams,.
Southport FC: Dan Hanford, Zehn Mohammed, Reagan Ogle, Andy Parry, Ryan Astles, David Morgan, Connor Woods (Raul Correia 58’), Russell Benjamin (Jack Doyle 58’), Kieran Glynn, Jack Sampson, Morgan Homson-Smith (Devarn Green 71’). Unused subs: Brad Bauress, Charlie Albinson.
Yellow cards: Benjamin (27’), Morgan (64’)
Attendance: 507
Referee: Aaron Bannister BY CONNOR O’NEILL
BOOTLE collected their first three points of the season after coming from behind to beat Ashton Athletic.
Joe Doran’s side came into the game on the back of a second straight defeat against Runcorn Town, but despite falling behind in the opening stages here, the Bucks responded with the type of fight and character that saw them go within touching distance of last season’s title.
So far this season, a familiar theme has emerged for Doran’s side. They have lacked the composure needed in front of goal, while at the other end a host of defensive errors have been punished.
And here looked to be no different.
Despite a bright start which saw Chad Whyte head against the bar and Carl Peers fire wide, Doran’s side fell behind when the unmarked Dale Korie-Butler bundled the ball home from closerange.
From there, the Bucks had Ryan Jones to thank for keeping the score at 1-0.
The stopper produced a string of fine saves in a 15-minute spell with his side looking vulnerable.
But from nowhere Doran’s side were level. A long ball over the top fell into the path of Whyte, with the former Burscough man taking the ball on his chest before firing low and hard into the bottom corner of the net.
And on the brink of half-time, the Bucks completed the turnaround.
Ste Jones swung a corner in from the right, with Ste Hoy rising highest inside a crowded box to head the ball home.
But six minutes into the second half and the hosts were level.
A short corner found its way to Josh Nicholson, with the winger’s effort taking a huge deflection off Lee Hughes and wrongfooting Jones.
Not to be outdone though, Doran’s side won it with 19 minutes remaining when Tom Williams finished a fine team move.
Cameron Grant and Jones combined before the latter released Hoy who pulled the ball back to Williams who coolly side-footed the ball home.