Clinical Spennymoor brace beats battlers
NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH
SOUTHPORT suffered defeat at the Pure Stadium on Saturday, losing 2-0 against a clinical and well-organised Spennymoor Town side.
The visitors opened the scoring in the third minute, when Adam Blakeman’s free-kick deflected off the wall and into the top-left corner.
Two minutes later, Spennymoor nearly and probably should have doubled their lead with Glen Taylor flashing his volley inches past the post.
Spennymoor then made it two in the 21st minute, when the in-form Taylor volleyed home Nathan Buddle’s knock down, inside the six-yard box for his fifth goal of the season.
Taylor nearly made it three in the 26th minute, after spotting Dan Hanford off his line, but saw his effort from the half-way line, sail over wide of the goal.
Port found it difficult in the first half to create any clear-cut chances, but nearly pulled a goal back late in the second half, when a combination of the post and Spennymoor keeper Dale Eve, stopped Marcus Calver converting from a rather acute angle.
Southport started the second 45 off, a lot brighter and enjoyed a lot more possession in The Moors final third. Connor Woods and Dylan Vassallo were brought on at half-time and added an extra dimension going forward.
Despite the increasing Port pressure, Spennymoor had the chance to seal the game when Rob Ramshaw teed up the on-rushing Scott McLean, who saw his effort bounce off the post.
After 15 minutes of second half action, Southport had created a number of chances, with Calver and Woods going particularly close to halving the deficit.
In the 71st minute, Niall Watson, who had only been on the pitch a couple of minutes, rounded the Spennymoor goalkeeper but eventually ran the ball too far.
Port were then awarded a penalty with 10 minutes left to play after a foul on Watson, but David Morgan’s punt down the middle was saved by Eve.
Port piled on the pressure as the game was drawing to a close, but were unable to find a way back into the game.
SOUTHPORT: Hanford, Challoner, Ali, Oliver (Vassallo, 45), Anson, Doyle, Bainbridge, Morgan, Benjamin (Woods, 45), Carver (Watson, 68), Archer. Subs not used: McMillan, Winnard.