Three goals – and points – against Blyth
SOUTHPORT returned from the North East with all three points after a comfortable win at Blyth Spartans on Saturday.
It took 40 minutes to break the deadlock when George Newell coolly finished after a flick on by Marcus Carver. Southport totally dominated the play in the first period but created few chances, Carver going closest when he headed wide from close in.
Blyth enjoyed more of the play at the start of the second period without causing any real scares in the Southport box.
Dylan Vassallo made it 2-0 in the 79th minute after some good combination play between David Morgan and Matty Challoner. A great turn and he despatched the ball into the net.
The third goal which reflected Southport’s dominance came after a fine cross by Niall Watson was headed home by Caver on 85 minutes.
Southport could have increased their lead late on but calmly saw the game out to get the victory and move up to second place in the early days table with the distinction of not conceding any goals in the three league outings to date.
Afterwards manager Liam Watson said he was really delighted with the team’s application.
‘‘It’s a long trip, it’s our first time on the coach since the King’s Lynn game was called off, I think that was mid-February, so it was a strange experience on the coach.
‘‘It was a horrible day, the lads got there, got prepared right, got out there, did what they had to do.
‘‘I think the scoreline does reflect [our dominance],’’ said the boss before praising George Newell for his goal. ‘‘Great goal – brilliant, brilliant finish.’’
‘They didn’t record one attempt on goal in the whole 90 minutes, that will tell you how much we were in control. They had a few corners in ten minutes but that was that.
‘‘We defended well buyt I always thought we had another gear.
Jack [substitute Sampson] didn’t last long because of a cut on the head but I thought Niall was very good and brought a difficult dimension with pace and runs at people... he could have scored made one, involved in second and made the third a good response after indifferent performance from him last week.
‘‘[Sampson’s] cut looked quite nasty, he went to hospital where they they glued it. Hh seemed alright – he was more perturbed that he’d lost more hair.
‘‘We’ve got a week to prepare for that. One thing to say above all is a special tribute to Harry and Leighton, the boys who did a sponsored cycle round the ground to raise £2,000 for the club. It is just an absolutely amazing little gesture from them – they should be proud, so should their family and we are as a football club.
‘‘The only way are going to be successful in any way shape or form is if everything is together.’’
Watson praised all the efforts of all at the club at the present, saying: ‘‘They have all done an incredible job to pull the club all as one - long may that continue, it is an incredible place to work
‘‘I am glad we’ve got funding.. I have listened to some comments and remarks... but after what we’ve gone through we have enough to get by.
“Some people have prospered and some have suffered but it puts us in the position where we can all get on the pitch and after what we have been through in so many months...
He added: ‘‘We have been incredibly lucky the ways fans have not requested refunds on season tickets – that went in against the funding. If they are not asking to be reimbursed it helps the club massively.
‘‘Whoever gave funding they wer not going to make everyone happy.’
Watson said he totally understood differences in sponsorship levels between divisions but added: ‘‘When this a grant to compensate for lack of gate receipts it should not be ‘you are higher you will get more’ - it should be you get covered for what you lose. Whoever made the decision is incredibly naive,’’ he said citing the difference financially between, for example, Fylde and Stockport County in the National League.
Watson said of Saturday’s visit of Boston United: ‘‘We can be positive and have a go knowing if it doesn’t go our way weren’t far off from where we should be anyway.’’
SOUTHPORT: Hanford, Ali, Oliver, Anson, Challoner, Benjamin, Morgan, Vassallo, Carver, Newell (Sampson 67, Doyle 76) Woods (Watson 67).