MATCH PREVIEW | Southport v Braintree Town

MATCH PREVIEW | Southport v Braintree Town

Braintree Town are the visitors to the Merseyrail Community Stadium on Saturday for a clash between two sides at the wrong end of the Vanarama National League table.

That said, a win for Southport could take them as high as sixteenth in the league, which would be a season high.

Southport have received a boost in the days leading up to the match with the news that Magnus Norman has extended his loan until the end of the season. The 19 year-old has been outstanding in the Southport goal since his arrival from Fulham, saving his side several points quite literally single handed.

In addition, Steve Burr confirmed after Tuesday’s brilliant fightback at Chester that defender Jack Higgins is to stay with the club until the end of the season, a welcome addition following the termination of Callum Howe’s loan earlier in the week.

With fellow new boy Ben McKenna winning man of the match for his showing on Tuesday it looks as though Burr may have unearthed another gem, and he will be hoping that centre back Higgins will have a similar impact.

The visit of Braintree has been historically known as something of a lowlight of the season, and it was only last season, at the fifth time of asking, that the Sandgrounders managed to register both their first goal and their first point at home to the Iron. Everyone associated with Southport will be hoping that Braintree don’t enjoy their day at the seaside as much as they have in recent years.

Following an unlikely adventure to the play-offs last season Braintree have struggled to stay above water this time round, although they have improved to the point that they are now only in the relegation places on goal difference.

Whilst the Iron have taken steps forwards, recent weeks have seen Torquay, Solihull Moors and Maidstone dragged into the relegation scrap.

The aim for Southport now must be to overtake these sides while they are within reach, and move forward into the unprecedented joys of mid-table obscurity.

By Christy Byrne SouthportFC Website

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