Sandgrounders win again in friendly tie

FRIENDLY, VICTORIA PARK

SOUTHPORT enjoyed another win on the road, this time at Nelson, as the build-up to the start of the season continues.

Connor Woods got The Sandgrounders off to a great start with a goal after six minutes, a fine strike from the edge of the area that gave the ‘keeper no chance.

Southport went on to create seven good chances to increase the lead but the resolute Nelson defence held firm and the sides went in to the break with the visitors ahead by the single goal.

Some great play by Woods lead to the second goal on 56 minutes when he crossed in from the right and Trialist was on hand to net his seventh pre-season goal.

As was the case in the first half Southport created several chances to go further ahead but survived a scare when the referee awarded the home side a penalty before spotting the assistant referee’s flag for offside.

The scoring ended in the 73rd minute when Jack Doyle, who had been outstanding all afternoon raiding down the left hand side, set George Newell (pictured) up to finish from close range.

Trialist fired over the bar and Carver and Woods also went close in the dying minutes as Southport came close to extending the lead.

A comfortable win for Southport but another good workout. Nelson defended well and made life difficult. The only disappointed was not scoring more goals from the number of chances created.

A late substitution for Southport saw the welcome return of Marcus Wood to the field for the first time in pre-season.

After the match Liam Watson was pleased with the performance. ‘‘It was another good workout and after the poor performance on Tuesday [vs Bamber Bridge] the lads played at a much better tempo and made for an enjoyable afternoon. Great to see a good number of Southport fans in the crowd and I hope they are enjoying how we are playing,” he said.

There are no additional preseason matches in the schedule before the opening tie but that may well change.

SOUTHPORT won 3-0 at Bootle in Tuesday night’s FA Youth Cup Preliminary Round.

A friendly for the first team at Ashton Athletic has been set for this Saturday (2pm).

SOUTHPORT: McMillan, Challoner, Doyle, Ali, Anson, Oliver, Benjamin, Vassallo, Woods, Newell, Trialist 1. Subs: Wood, Trialist 2, Morgan , Carver