Championship side too strong for Southport despite solid performance

18th July 2021
Image by Ian Fairbrother

Replicated from https://southportfc.net/report-terrier-test/ with kind permission of Southport Football Club

Southport continued pre-season with a 0-2 defeat to Huddersfield Town at the Pure Stadium.

Two first half goals were enough to give the Terriers victory in their second outing of the summer.

Despite defeat, Liam Watson will be able to take positives after another solid performance against Championship opposition.

It wasn’t a desired start to the afternoon, as Adam Anson put the ball into the back of his net after two minutes, to give the visitors an early lead.

Dylan Vassallo came close to levelling things, but his shot on the edge of the box was deflected wide of the target.

Shortly after, Huddersfield had an opportunity to double their lead, with Lewis O’Brien scuffing a half volley past the right post of Cameron Mason’s goal, as the Yorkshire side increased the pressure.

Carlos Corberan’s side continued to create half chances, but Anson was in place to redeem himself.

First, the centre back made a great tackle to stop a potentially dangerous attempt from Danny Ward, before blocking a shot from Sorba Thomas a few minutes later.

With five minutes remaining of the first half, the visitors doubled their lead, as Duane Holmes made an excellent run into the box, before smoothly placing it past Mason.

After the break, Huddersfield continued to test the Port backline.

Thomas came the closest in the early stages of the half but put his effort just past the left post.

Watson’s side also looked to pull one back, but a trialist shot into the side netting was the best they could create.

Huddersfield also struggled to open the Port defence as they looked for a third, with Mason easily stopping a tame effort from Josh Ruffels.

The keeper had a much tougher stop to make not long after, as he reacted quickly to palm Brahima Diarra’s volley over the crossbar, to keep the final score at 0-2.

Southport FC: Cameron Mason, Jack Doyle, Russell Benjamin, Adam Anson, Doug Tharme, Marcus Carver, Trialist A, Chris Doyle, Dylan Vassallo, Niall Watson, Jack Bainbridge.

Substitutes: Charlies Oliver, Connor Woods, Charlie Munro, Jordan Archer, Tony McMillan, Josh Hmami.

Huddersfield Town FC: Lee Nichols, Harry Toffolo, Matty Pearson, Jonathan Hogg, Lewis O’Brien, Scott High, Sorba Thomas, Duane Holmes, Ollie Turton, Naby Sarr, Danny Ward.

Substitutes: Ryan Scofield, Alex Vallejo, Jordan Rhodes, Josh Ruffles, Levi Colwill, Ben Jackson, Brahima Diarra.