Report | Injury-hampered Spartans suffer Southport loss

By Liam O'Brien

In association with:

ALAN McLEAN FCMA CGMA

Chartered Management Accountant

Vanarama National League North

Saturday September 14th 2019

Southport 2-0 Blyth Spartans

Spartans slow start to the season continued as
they suffered another defeat in a game that was hampered by injuries.

Southport took the lead in the 66th minute
when Zehn Mohammed got his head on the end of a corner.

Southport then doubled their lead in the 71st
minute when they were awarded a penalty after Correira was brought down in the
box. David Morgan stepped up to take it and hammered it past Harker into the
bottom corner.

The home side started strong with Devarn Green
getting himself into a shooting position then unleashes a strike from outside
the box that went flying over the bar.

The first of the injuries came in the 9th
minute when debutant Jack Hunter was forced to come off and was replaced by Tom
Devitt.

Bradley Bauress caused problems for Spartans
when he whipped in a free kick towards the far post which had to be kept out by
the fingertips of Nathan Harker.

Green thought he'd given Southport the lead in
the 16th minute when he tapped the ball in from close range but he was offside
and the goal was ruled out.

In the 17th minute, Raul Coreia had a effort
from 20 yards out that was palmed away by Harker.

Spartans then suffered another injury blow
when Ryan Hutchinson was forced to come off and was replaced by Ursene Mouanda.

It was Southport's turn to be dealt an injury
blow in the 24th minute when Dean Winnard was forced off and replaced by Zehn
Mohammed.

Spartans got a chance in the 28th minute when
Michael Sweet got his head on the end of a cross and sent it over the bar but
he ruled offside anyway.

Bauress troubled the Spartans goal again when
he unleashed a thunderous strike from 35 yards out that was tipped over by
Harker. From the resulting corner, Harker made an impressive save from close
range to deny Southport the lead.

The second half was a lot slower than the
first half with chances coming few and far between.

In the 47th minute, Roberts had a curling
effort from outside the box that went well wide of the far post.

Southport took the lead in the 66th minute
when substitute Zehn Mohammed got his head on the end of a corner and sent it
into the bottom corner of the near post.

Southport then doubled their lead in the 71st
minute when the referee awarded a penalty after Raul Correira was brought down
in the box. David Morgan stepping up to take it and he sent it past Harker into
the bottom left corner.

Morgan went looking for his second goal when
he had an effort from outside the box that was tipped over by Harker.

Southport won 2-0 and dealt another blow to
the Spartans slow start to the season. Spartans will be hoping to improve their
form when they face Curzon Ashton away from home in the FA Cup next saturday.

Spartans - Harker, Evans, Callaghan, Hunter
(Devitt, 9), Robson, Hutchinson (Mouanda, 20), Roberts, Hawkins, Sweet, Orrell,
Dale (C) (Amantchi, 69)

Subs not used: Scott, Foden

Southport - Albinson, Ogle, Doyle, Winnard
(Mohammed, 24), Astles, Morgan (C), Glynn, Benjamin, Green (Lacey, 63),
Correia, Bauress

Subs not used: Woods, Parry, Hanford

Goals - Mohammed (66) Morgan (71 Pen)

Referee - Kristian Silcock