Investment in team hit by off-field issues
SOUTHPORT manager Liam Watson says investment in the team has been made difficult by the club’s off-field problems.
The cost of extra stewarding drafted in to control a small minority of fans intent on causing trouble, along with fines imposed on the club, means there is little in the coffers to recruit new signings.
“At the moment there’s lots of issues with finance,” said Watson. “We’ve got millions and millions of stewards that we’ve had to pay because of the trouble that we’ve had and obviously we’ve had quite a few fines for various things – there was the melee against Curzon
Ashton – so we’re getting hit from all sides financially, but thats’s life.
“We have to improve – that’s not just the team and the staff, it’s the fans, as well. We all have to improve otherwise it will damage what we can do on the pitch.”
Meanwhile, Watson’s men gave themselves a confidence boost by methodically picking apart Charnock Richard as they moved into the semi-finals of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy on Tuesday.
The game came four days after a 1-0 loss at home against Hereford United, Port’s third straight defeat in National League North.
Southport started the first half against Charnock Richard strong with Tyler Walton having the better of the chances, including a counter-attack giving the home side a four-onthree situation.
Following a well worked one-two by Connor Woods and Walton it was Walton through on goal but his chipped effort goes over the bar.
The break came in the 39th minute and it was Walton yet again involved as he drove at the defence and cuts through three defenders before curling a finish around Connor Eastham.
Ten minutes into the second half a Woods thunderbolt rattled the crossbar before the lead was doubled when Woods was brought down in the box. The referee played advantage as the ball dropped to Jordan Archer who had ice in his veins to place a composed finish into the corner.
Southport found their rhythm after the second goal and, following a looping cross, Chris Doyle thundered home a header to make it 3-0 in the 65th minute, giving the home side a comfortable lead going into the latter stages of the game.
Despite having the lead Port still pushed for a fourth and it came in the 88th minute when Watson picked the ball up, went past two men and laid off for Josh Miles who had the whole goal to aim at and he placed his finish cooly past Eastham which saw out an overall impressive 4-0 performance.*
On Saturday, Southport make the long trip to Brackley where they will look to carry over their midweek form and end a run of three successive league defeats.
Southport’s next home game is next Tuesday back in the league against Blyth Spartans for a 7.45 kick off.