’Port end losing run with draws on road

SOUTHPORT ended a run of three straight defeats with back to back draws on the road over the last few days.

Firstly came a 1-1 draw at Telford on Saturday.

Southport had plenty of possession but very little to show in front of goal.

The home side took the lead on 39 minutes when a cross somehow managed to find its’ way over Tony McMillan’s head and into the goal. It was a fluke but no more than Telford deserved at that stage.

The hosts went close to increasing their lead soon after but a brilliant block by Chris Doyle thwarted the attempt.

Southport equalised in the 51st minute when a deep cross found Connor Woods at the far post and he fired home from close range.

It was Tony McMillan who kept the visitors in the game with a string of fine saves. Southport did come close to grabbing the winner in the 90th minute but Niall Watson fired well over when well placed.

Boss Liam Watson said: “It was a tough game, Telforrd asked questions of us but I also thought we hada lot of the ball in the first twenty minutes in the final third of the pitch and we were crying out for the right delivery and it never happened.

“That’s the disappointing thing.

“Did we take a gamble leaving Jordan Archer out? I thought in terms of the two Connors getting it into feet and playing it out wide, parts of it worked, parts of it didn’t. Too many times, instead of putting the ball into an area, we put it onto Harry Flowers’ head.

“I didn’t see anything in the game in the first half where I felt worried, but then a fluke has flown in!

“It was a cross that’s not gone in the right area and has ended up going in. Normally you’d question the keeper, but you couldn’t question the goalkeeper because it’s looked like it’s going over the bar, comes under the bar then hits the post. Just a fluke.

“We haven’t had the luck with us in the last few weeks in terms of games and decisions going against us and you wondered how we’d react to that. I thought we reacted well and scored a really good goal. The delivery from Niall (Watson) was great and it was nice for Connor to get on the scoresheet. He took it very well.

“Tony Mac has pulled two really good saves off which have kept us in the game and his performance was very good.

“Where Telford are, a point is probably not good enough for them at the minute, if they are going to get out of trouble they are going to have to win games. The idea for us was always to have players to come on for the last 20 minutes, it ended up being a bit earlier bringing Jordan on. But we were just waiting for that one pass to split them open.

“Connor Woods put one absolute worldy across and Niall (Watson) just has to gamble and he’s got a tap in at the far post, but he hasn’t.

“There was no lack of effort or work rate, especially after a trip to Blyth and we have a long way to go to on Tuesday to Darlington.

“All around the pitch we were asked questions and I think we asked some, so I think the draw was a fair result.

“It’s a tough ask to fit all the games in at the minute, especially when you consider the squad is only small. We’ll try to keep it going and try to use the energy but there’s no criticism of the players – I think we should be a little bit better and the structure of the team should be better but you take your point, get back on the bus and hopefully we can get back on another unbeaten run.”

On Tuesday evening, Port made the journey north to Darlington, picking up another point after a goalless draw.

It was a game where conditions were always going to have a say, bitterly cold with at times a very strong North Easterly wind making football difficult.

Charlie Oliver, making his 100th start in all competitions and playing just in front of the back line, was outstanding but it would be unfair to single any one player out as this was a good team performance that may not have been pretty but once again showed the club has a group of lads that are prepared to work hard.

Chances were few and far between for the visitors, Chris Doyle went close late in the first half with a header that flashed just wide and Jordan Archer just failed to lob the keeper in the opening period.

Playing into the wind in the second half it was always going to be difficult and at times it was backs to the wall but the defence held firm with Tony McMillan once again having a great game, keeping out a side who could have gone top with a win had King’s Lynn lost.

Darlington had chances to win it and hearts were in our mouths late in added time as a goal looked certain but McMillan made a fine save.

At the other end Archer looked as though he was going to grab a winner with only the keeper to beat but his shot lacked any real power. Tyler Walton also had a decent chance but it flashed just wide of the post.

All in all a satisfactory night and a massive thank you to the 30 or so travelling fans that made the trip up.

With Banbury winning their FA Trophy tie it will mean the game scheduled for February 11th will need to be rearranged and the possibility of a blank Saturday unless an another fixture can be arranged for that day.

Saturday brings another away game for Southport, this time closer to home at Chorley, 3pm kick off.