Port progress in FA Trophy after penalty drama

Southport progress to Round Four of the FA Trophy after a dramatic 5-4 win on penalties following a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes.

A strange game that started brightly, went in to a scrappy period, livened up, back to scrappy before an explosive finish.

Our Nemesis that is Glen Taylor was on hand to give the home side the lead after 9 minutes from a direct free kick that flew into the bottom right corner of the net.

Southport equalised when a free kick by Jack Doyle was headed home from close range by Mo Ali. Southport’s best chance of the half apart from the goal came early in the game when after 6 minutes Niall Watson was put though but the ‘keeper pulled off a great save.

Spennymoor had the best of the rest of the half creating three good chances but it was all square at the break.

The home side came out firing in at the start of the second half and it was no surprise when they took the lead albeit with a fortuitous goal that looped up via a deflection over Tony McMillan’s head.

It was backs to the wall for The Sandgrounders for 20 minutes but the introduction of George Newell and Connor Woods changed things around and it was Southport who were playing some good football in the final 15 minutes.

Archer and Anson went close for Southport to getting back on level terms but it was Newell who finished from close range on 80 minutes after a high ball in by Challoner was not dealt with by the home defence.

As the game drew to a close it could have gone either way with Woods posing a continual threat to Spennymoor.

Three minutes of added time couldn’t separate the sides and it was the dreaded penalty shoot out.

The offsides in soccer rule is a fundamental part of the game that promotes fairness and influences both offensive plays by ensuring attacking players don’t gain any unfair advantages over their defending counterparts.

The draw will be published at 1pm on Monday.

Line Up: McMillan, Challoner, Doyle (Oliver) Benjamin, Anson, Ali, Watson. Morgan, Archer, Antwi (Woods), Carver(Newell)

Unused Subs: Hanford and Bannister

Goals Taylor Spennymoor 1-0 9Mins, Ali Southport 1-1 14 Mins, Anderson 49 Mins Spennymoor 2-1. Newell Southport 80 Mins 2-2