Focus and calmness key in survival fight
JIM Bentley insists the key to securing National League North safety this season is for the Sandgrounders squad to to remain ‘focused and calm.’
A 2-1 home defeat against Hereford United at the weekend left Southport just three points above the relegation zone heading into the weekend’s home match against Peterborough Sports.
Tyler Walton limped out of the action early on while Danny Lloyd was later sent off. With Luke Burgess shown a red card against Scarborough recently, it means Bentley will be shorn of several key men due to suspension and injury.
But the manager insisted: “We’ve just got to stay focused and stay calm. We’ve got a big month in March now with eight games. We’ll have to see if we can bring extra players in – there’s the rule around five loans. We’re always exploring, we’re always looking at players that we could potentially bring in as we did with Danny for this season and next.
“Danny’s an honest lad, I’ve known him a lot of years and I’ve tried to sign him a few times. I worked with him last season and I respect him, I like him, he’s a good individual. He’s telling me he tried to make a run, the big centre half has blocked him off and there’s a coming togather. He’s pushed him and Danny has pushed him across the chest. There’s been a bit of a slap noise made, but look where the ball is, look where the referee’s angle is, where he’s looking at the ball. They’re the type of thing that goes against you.
“If Danny’s telling me he hasn’t slapped him in the face, then we’ve got to take his word for it
“People will be looking at the referee and the decisions but ultimately we’ve got to defend the first goal better and take our chances at the other end. So it’s whether you look at it negatively or positively – we are creating opportunities, we look a threat, we should be scoring more and I’m sure that we will score more.
“The negatives are we’ve conceded too many goals throughout the season, not just over the last couple of weeks, and we’re now missing a few key players.”
Bentley was disappointed with his side’s loss against the Bulls but was cheered by the amount of chances created.
Port created numerous openings in the first half only to be hit by Paul Downing’s sucker punch in the 43rd minute.
Lloyd was sent off on the hour mark after a coming together with Kyle Howkins and the best Southport chance fell to Keenan Quansah who burst forward only to see his shot go narrowly over the bar.
Chris Renshaw was in fine form once again making several excellent saves as Hereford made the one man advantage pay.
With Southport throwing caution to the wind it was Hereford who added a second goal in the 90th minute via Kieran Phillips. There was still time for the home side to pull one back through Marcus Carver in the 93rd minute but despite some late pressure the visitors held on for the 2-1 win.
“I’m disappointed and I’m frustrated again,” said Bentley. “We’ve won on Tuesday night and Hereford don’t travel particularly well – but having said that, when I look over them, I think they’re a good side. They’ve got some good players, loads of experience, height, know how and some good individuals in there.
“It was a bad start for us was after minute one with Tyler Walton, who’s been playing really well, goes off injured with an ankle injury and leaves the ground on crutches. It was literally first minute, so that was disappointing. After that we started well, played some good stuff and created opportunities. If there is a little bit of a criticism it’s that end product, that final touch when you need composure. Do we shoot? Do we pass? Do we dribble? Are you running for yourself, are you running for your teammate All those little bits.
“We still threaten the goal but I think we could have done a lot more in those moments.”
Southport progressed to the semi finals of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy on Tuesday evening with a 4-0 victory against Bacup Borough.