Port held to goalless draw against Hereford in opening league match

Southport kicked off the 2020/21 Vanarama National League North season with a goalless draw against Hereford.

Neither side could break the deadlock, in a tight affair under the lights at Haig Avenue.

Jack Sampson and Marcus Carver both hit the underside of the cross for the Port, whilst Dan Hanford was forced to make two excellent fingertip saves.

The first of the Sandgrounders’ keepers saves came early on in the evening, as he tipped over a long-ranged effort from Kyle Finn, that would’ve dipped just under the crossbar.

The next Hereford chance was much straighter forward for Hanford, as he easily collected a tame header by former Port midfielder, Andrai Jones.

Opportunities continued to come the way of The Bulls, with another outstanding save needed to stop another long-ranged effort from Finn, with this one curling towards the top left corner.

The first big chance for Southport came just before the 20-minute mark, as a Jack Sampson header in the box hit the underside of the cross bar, with the keeper in no man’s lands.

That acted as a generator for Watson’s side, as George Newell nearly tapped in a scuffed Mo Ali shot, but lost his footing in the rainy conditions.

Sampson also tried his luck again, this time from distance, but dragged the attempt wide of the right post.

The sides headed into half time with not much between them, but the Bulls threatening more with their ambitious attempts.

After the break, Samir Nabir tried his luck from range for the visitors, but dragged the shot well wide of the post.

Meanwhile down the other end, Marcus Carver attempted to tried to catch the keeper off his line, but a shot from the outside the striker’s foot went straight into Paul White’s hands.

Finn continued to be the most dangerous player on the pitch, after his two attempts in the first half, he tried to beat Hanford from distance again, this time drilling the ball wide of the post.

Not long after, Ryan Lloyd found himself in space in the box, but failed to hit the target from a tight angle.

The Port were unfortunate not to take the lead, as a powerful strike from Marcus Carver rattled the underside of the bar in the 73^rd minute, as things remained scoreless.

After scoring on his debut against Morpeth Town, substitute, Niall Watson, was looking to make an impact off the bench.

He came close to doing so, as his dangerous from the right wing was begging for someone to tap it in.

Both sides continued battle to edge ahead, but neither could find that decisive moment, as things finished 0-0.

Southport FC: Dan Hanford, Matt Challoner, Jack Bainbridge, Charlie Oliver, Mo Ali, Jack Doyle, Russell Benjamin, David Morgan, George Newell (63’), Jack Sampson, Marcus Carver.

Substitutes: Tony McMillan, Adam Anson, Dylan Vassallo, Connor Woods, Niall Watson (63’)

Hereford FC: Paul White, Jared Hodgkiss, Luke Haines, Jake Wright, Jaime Grimes, Chris Camwell, Andrai Jones, Tom Owen-Evans, Kyle Finn, Ryan Lloyd, Yan Klukowski.

Substitutes: Kennedy Digie, James McQuilkin, Brandon Hall, Samir Nabi, Dan Jones.