Sandgrounders fight back to share spoils
SOUTHPORT came from behind to secure a point in a 1-1 draw against Boston United on Tuesday evening.
After the Haig Avenue surface was deemed playable following a noon pitch inspection, the Sandgrounders went into the clash looking to build on the 2-1 win against Blyth Spartans last time out.
The first big chance of the game fell to Southport in the 19th minute as Connor Heath headed a Niall Watson cross goalwards only to be denied by Cameron Gregory at full stretch.
Less than a minute later Boston thought they had scored one of their own as Billy Chadwick’s free-kick from just outside the box smashed against the underside of the crossbar before bouncing down onto the goalline but failing to cross it.
Chadwick would leave no-such doubts with his next effort as his speculative shot from 25-yards took a nasty deflection off of the leg of Chris Doyle, wrong-footing goalkeeper Tony McMillan and nestling into the box of the Port net to give the visitors from Lincolnshire the lead.
Boston could have doubled their lead just moments later as a clever one-two on the edge of the box between Chadwick and Sam McLintock set the latter free to fire a venomous shot that stung the palms of McMillan.
However, Southport struck next as Tyler Walton’s cross was parried by Gregory straight into the path of Niall Watson, the winger reacting quickly to shape his body and head into the empty net and restore parity between the two sides.
The second half failed to reproduce the fireworks of the first as both sides created little in way of clearcut chances.
The best opportunity of the second period fell to Southport on the hour mark as Connor Heath’s header looked destined to find the far corner of the net, only for a superb save from Gregory to deny the young striker.
Heath was replaced in the closing stages by new signing Joe Adams.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is a former Welsh Youth International and a product of the Bury Academy.
He was voted Bury’s young player of the year in 2018-19 having been at Bury since the age of seven.
Adams has also been at Brentford, making 65 appearances for the Brentford B Team scoring 18 times.
He has been capped by Wales at Under 18, 19 , 20 and 21 levels and scored his first international goal in a 2–1 UEFA European Under 19 Championship qualifying victory over Sweden in 2018.
Adams has spent the last year with Dundalk making 34 appearances and scoring once.
A statement on the club’s website said: “We extend a very warm welcome to Joe who, on signing, reminded us that at a very young age he said that one day he will play for the club having lived in the town and supported the club as a young boy, he is now able to do just that.”
Manager Watson added: “Joe has a great pedigree and we are delighted to bring him to Southport following his return to this country from Ireland where he gained great experience with Dundalk.
“He is an exciting player who I think our fans will enjoy watching.
“He was in the same age group as Declan (Evans), Niall (Watson) and Josh (Hmami) and a player we have monitored for some time, the international clearance is now through and Joe was in the squad for the game against Boston United.”
Southport’s Lancashire Challenge Trophy semifinal tie, at Leyland against Ashton Athletic will be on Wednesday March 29th. KO 7.30pm.
Marine AFC has confirmed that the Liverpool Senior Cup semi-final tie against Southport will take place on Monday 27th March 2023, KO 7.45pm.
Meanwhile,
Marine’s
NPL Premier Division game against Matlock Town on Tuesday evening was postponed following a noon pitch inspection.
The Mariners had been hoping to bounce back from the weekend’s 3-1 loss at home against Guiseley.
Benjamin SmalesBraithwaite’s brace gifted Guiseley the points as a second half collapse by Marine saw them lose 3-1 at the Marine Travel Arena. Mark Howarth gave the Mariners the lead on the cusp of half time, though Kallan Murphy equalised with minutes to go.
Both teams looked for a winner which the visitors were successful in finding in the closing stages.
The defeat left Marine seventh in the Northern Premier League, six points off the play-offs. twenty