Port show spirit to bounce back in style
BY JAMES HOUGHTON
SOUTHPORT bounced back from Emirates FA Cup elimination on Saturday with a hardfought victory over Hereford in a rollercoaster clash at the Pure Stadium.
It took Port just 10 minutes to shake off a poor weekend result.
Marcus Wood blocked a Hereford clearance before sliding the ball across the goal mouth with Zehn Mohammed tapping in at the back post to bag his fifth goal in eight games.
The Port almost doubled their lead three minutes later as Ryan Astles jumped to meet a Brad Bauress corner but his header went straight into the hands of Hereford goalkeeper Brandon Hall.
The game then slowed down with neither side carving out any chances for the majority of the first period, but just before the break there was a flurry of chances for Hereford.
The first came in the 42nd minute as Bradley Ash’s free kick was parried by Charlie Albinson to the feet of Peter Vicenti who fluffed his lines when it looked easier to score than miss as he shot high and wide from a matter of yards.
Hereford then had the ball in the back of the net in the 45th minute as Stephen Dawson fired in a long shot from 25 yards, but after a consultation with the assistant the referee disallowed the goal for a handball by Vicenti in the build-up, with Hereford irate at the decision.
But Port’s luck couldn’t hold out any longer as Hereford were awarded a penalty in the fourth minute of injury time. Reece Styche stepped up to restore parity between the teams as the headed into the break, putting the penalty low to Albinson’s left.
There was more bad news for Port as Reagan Ogle was stretchered off the pitch at half time after going down holding his ankle. Ogle was replaced by Andy Parry as the teams came out for the second period.
Jack Sampson had the first major chance of the second half as he jumped to meet a Brad Bauress corner but his header skimmed the crossbar on its way over as Port looked to take the lead again.
But in the 64th minute Hereford were awarded their second penalty of the evening after Zehn Mohammed completely miscued his clearance to put Dawson through on goal, who was brought down by Albinson as he attempted to round the keeper.
After a prolonged delay, which saw Albinson and Wood have an extended talk before the penalty was taken, Styche stepped up to take his second penalty of the evening.
However, the striker was thwarted by a superb save from Albinson as he guessed correctly jumping to his right and getting a firm pair of gloves behind the spot kick.
That save seemed to breathe life into both Southport and the fans in the stand as just five minutes later Port took the lead.
Connor Woods showed some excellent foot work to beat his marker on the right wing before laying it back to captain David Morgan who fired a thunderbolt of a strike beyond Hall who was rooted to the spot.
Port almost had a third in the 74th minute as Jack Doyle swung an inviting cross into the box which was put behind by a last ditch clearance from Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, with Sampson lurking for what would have been an easy tap in.
But in the 81st minute Southport did get their third as substitute Devarn Green countered dangerously. The attack seemed to be over as he turned away from goal under pressure from the Hereford defence.
However, after steadying himself, Green went on a mazy run, beating four defenders before unleashing a vicious shot into the far corner in what will surely be a goal of the season contender.
There was still time for one more sting in the tail as Hereford pulled back a goal in the 89th minute.
Port failed to clear their lines in the box with the ball falling to Kelsey Mooney to tap in at the back post.
But the home side held on to secure a win against an impressive Hereford side that will also be looking to be in the playoff picture this season.
Next up is an away trip to Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday as Port look to build some momentum with fixtures coming thick and fast in the next three weeks.
Southport: Albinson, Ogle (Parry 46), Doyle, Mohammed, Astles, Morgan, Benjamin, Wood, Woods (Green 76), Sampson, Bauress.
Subs not used: Hanford, Glynn, Homson-Smith.
Hereford: Hall, Thomas, Bodenham, Pope, CullinaneLiburd, Gowling, Vincenti (Mooney 76’), Dawson, Styche (Symons 71), Pollock (Liburd 71), Ash.
Subs not used: Owen-Evans, O’Sullivan
Attendance: 604