A David Morgan stunner sealed a 3-0 win for Southport against Bradford Park Avenue at Horsfall Stadium.
After uncertainty over whether the game would go ahead; Liam Watson will now be pleased that it did after a solid result.
Morgan continued his excellent goal scoring form with another long-ranged strike, whilst Ryan Astles bagged his first of the season and Devarn Green made it two in two.
In the opening seconds of the game, Jack Sampson had an early effort, which was easily stopped by the keeper.
Down the other end Keith Lowe had a speculative effort from distance in an attempt to give Avenue an early goal but blasted the ball well wide of Charles Albinson’s goal.
A few minutes later, the Port keeper was forced into a save, as he blocked Dan Sweeney’s effort with his foot.
Southport’s first clear opening came from a corner, with Astles putting his header straight into the hands of Joe Green.
The out of form home side continued to create chances to, as Lewis Knight forced Albinson into a save down low to the left from a free kick.
Just before the half hour mark, Waton’s side opened the scoring through Astles, putting in a rebound after the keeper was unable to deal with Green’s initial attempt from a free kick.
Two minutes into the second half, Bauress had an opportunity to double the Port’s lead, but fired over the crossbar.
Moments later, Green also had a chance to make it two, but just couldn’t make contact with Jack Sampson’s cross.
Southport continued to threaten, with Mohammed causing trouble for the Avenue keeper, who needed Billy Priestley to deal with the danger.
The home side had an opportunity to equalise on the hour mark, but Sweeney blasted the ball over from a tight angle.
Bradford were left to rue that miss, as two minutes later the Port got their second, as David Morgan slotted a great ball through for Green, who used his pace to cut in from the left, going one on one with the keeper to calmly finish.
Mohammed could’ve made it three but fired over the bar from a Bauress cross.
Not long after, it was 3-0, as Morgan hit a superb strike from 35 yards out to catch Green off guard and to secure the three points.
With a minute left on the clock, Albinson made an excellent double save to stop the Avenue from getting a consolation, stopping an initial shot by Sweeney before diving on the ball to stop Andre Johnson from getting on to the rebound.
That save ensured a clean sheet and a 3-0 victory for the Port, as they eventually brushed their Yorkshire opponents beside to claim all three points.
Bradford Park Avenue: Joe Green, Mitch Lund, Billy Priestley (61’), Keith Lowe, Liam Hughes, Josh Heaton, Lewis Knight (62’), Germaine Agustien, Dan Sweeney, Alex Hurst, Adam Nowakowski.
Substitutes: Cieron Keane (61’) Brad Dockerty (62’)
Unused Subs: Isiah Bazeley, Isaac Marriot, Andre Johnson.
Southport: Charles Albinson, Zehn Mohammed, Jack Doyle, Dean Winnard, Ryan Astles, David Morgan, Russell Benjamin, Marcus Wood, Devarn Green (70’), Jack Sampson, Brad Bauress.
Substitutes: Kieran Glynn (70’) Raul Correia (78’)
Unused Subs: Andy Parry, Dan Hanford
Goals: Astles (29’), Green (65), Morgan (75’)
Attendance: 418
Written by Amos Wynn
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