Match report.

[Hempstead Gaz]

Cribbed straight from the Southport forum.

Seems to be unbiased and quite accurate, following Mike and Chas's commentary to the letter.

"Attendance: 1,301

 

Southport collected another valuable three points in another nerve-wracking match where Southport's first half dominance failed to continue into the second half, allowing Gravesend opportunites to equalise. However, they held on to collect all the points in the dog-fight at the bottom of the table.

 

Southport started lively with Steve Daly causing real problems to the Gravesend defence. Daly had two opportunities within the first ten minutes to open the scoring - the first falling in the seventh minute when Daly forced his way through the defence, but his shot was directed at Aaron Kerr who stood his ground, palming the ball over for a corner. Moments later a cross from the right wing fell kindly to Daly whose shot hit the side netting.

 

Gary Brabin tried his luck on 12 minutes when Chris Lane's free-kick sailed high into the area, with Brabin climbing well, heading his chance narrowly wide.

 

Daly opened the scoring minutes later when Liam Blakeman played a ball to Carl Baker, who stood his ground on the edge of the box, turned and fired at goal, with Kerr only able to parry the ball to the path of the incoming Steve Daly who slid the ball into the net from close range.

 

Southport's dominance continued, having plenty of chances to increase their lead. Carl Baker did well to turn again on the edge of the box only to see his shot go narrowly wide. On the half hour, Steve Pickford's high corner kick fell to the head of Brabin whose goal-bound header was dramatically cleared off the line by Ross Smith. Daly continued to work hard, looking for a break through the defence, and again was presented with a one-on-one with Kerr on 38 minutes, but this time the Gravesend keeper did well to save the shot with his feet. This proved the keeper's last action of the game as he was forced to be substituted after he pulled a hamstring, bringing in Craig Holloway.

 

Gravesend waited until the 56th minute until creating their first real chance on goal, as the half time changes of Liam Daish took effect. A Bradley Johnson freekick was fed through to Luke Moore whose close range shot was volleyed off the line by Jerome Fitzgerald.

 

Southport were offered the chance to extend their lead on the hour mark when Ross Smith mis-kicked his clearance straight to Robbie Booth whose goal-ward shot was saved well by Craig Holloway.

 

Gravesend continued to press as they seeked an equaliser, forcing a 77th minute double save by Steve Dickinson as Bradley Johnson's 18 yard shot was saved by the keeper's feet, with James Smith's follow up forcing Dickinson to push the ball away to safety.

 

 

 

Teams:

 

Southport: Steve Dickinson; Chris Lane; Jerome Fitzgerald; Gary Brabin; Mark Roberts; Carl Baker (Earl Davis, 81); Dominic Morley; Liam Blakeman; Steve Pickford; Steve Daly (Neil Robinson, 86); Robbie Booth (Mark Jackson, 75).

Subs not used: Jamie Speare; Michael Powell.

 

Gravesend & Northfleet: Aaron Kerr (Craig Holloway, 42); Scott Gooding; Ross Smith; Paul McCarthy; Justin Skinner (Danny Glozier, 68); Danny Slatter; Bobby Bowry; Bradley Johnson; Ashley Fuller (Luke Moore, 46); Andy Drury; James Smith.

Subs not used: Jay Saunders; Jimmy Jackson.

 

Bookings:

 

Carl Baker, 43 minutes

Steve Pickford, 53 minutes

Justin Skinner, 53 minutes

Neil Robinson, 88 minutes"

[Hempstead Gaz]

What I did find odd was that both Jay and Jacko were, according to Lord Chas, too injured to actually play.

If that was the case, where were, McKimm, Watkins, Hawkins, Groombridge, Phinbow and other worthy reserves? Surely they were more meritous of a place on the bench than 2 injured first teamers?

[kmj]

There really isn't a substitute for actually being at the game is there? Hope to hear/read it first hand shortly or at least tomorrow.

 

I heard that Hawkins didn't play due to "personal" reasons. Watkins was apparently injured in midweek training. McKimm is still suspended I assume. I have no idea about the others named.

[David Holden]

Groombridge and Phinbow are not registered as Conference players.

[Hempstead Gaz]

To my simplistic mind, it seems a bit pointless having a reserve side, based mainly on young developing players, if they have NO chance of progressing to the first team, because they are not registered.

Does it cost much to register a player for the conference?

If not, then why haven't the most likely candidates been registered.

Moore has broken through, and from reading the reports, a couple of others could at least grace the bench.

Must also be disheartening for those players, simply going through the motions in a reserve league, knowing they still may not get offered a contract next season, regardless of performances this year, if for personal reasons (college) they would be unablr to play full time.

[EUFC superb]

McKimm's suspended.

[jc]

A pretty fair report. It's worth noting, though, that Ross' clearance off the line came only after an excellent full-length save from Aaron.