Master McGrath

BY JAMES HOUGHTON

SOUTHPORT were held to a draw at home to Kettering Town as a goal at each end of the pitch from debutant Michael McGrath saw the teams share the points.

It was a slow start to proceedings as spectators had to wait until the 20th minute before either side saw a glimpse at goal.

Kettering were first to come close as Gary Stohrer played in Daniel

Nti one-on-one but Nti’s right footed effort could only skim the outside of the Southport post.

But seconds later Port would break the deadlock. Brad Bauress swung in a dangerous cross from the left wing towards Jack Sampson but it was Sampson’s marker McGrath who turned the ball into his own net trying to stop the striker from getting to the ball.

Just seven minutes later

McGrath would make up for his error as Southport failed to clear a corner, the ball bouncing around the penalty box before falling at the feet of McGrath as the defender poked beyond Dan Hanford and levelled the scores.

Although Southport had periods of possession, it was the visitors who created the clearer chances, Ben Milnes sent a shot against a post before Nti’s effort from the rebound was scrambled clear by Raul Correia.

Milnes also headed wide, while Port goalkeeper Hanford denied the Kettering midfielder in the second half, as well as making a save from Joel Carta.

The Port tried to press in the second half, but both sides struggled to carve out any major chances. The home team came closest in the third minute of injury time as Ryan Astles headed just wide from a corner but neither side looked worthy of the three points as both sets of fans went home disappointed.

Southport tried to apply late pressure, Zehn Mohammed connecting with a Reagan Ogle free-kick before Ryan Astles headed wide from Kerian Glynn’s corner.

Fans will be encouraged by Liam Watson’s post-match interview where he stated that the club were looking to add a new striker saying: “We need to bring a striker in but it’s easier said than done to make sure you get the right one.”

Southport: Hanford, Ogle, Doyle, Mohammed, Astles, Morgan, Green (Glynn 46), Benjamin, Correia, Sampson, Bauress.

Subs not used: Albinson Woods, Parry, Homson-Smith. Kettering Town: White, Stohrer, Brighton, McGrath, Cartwright, Skarz, Kennedy, Milnes (Solkhon 80), Nti, Carta (Tchuimeni-Nimeiy 75), Kelly (Meikle 64).

Subs not used: Graham, Hodge.

Referee: Nathaniel Cox