REPORT | Patience Rewarded

Goals from Zehn Mohammed and David Morgan helped Southport on their way to a 2-0 victory over Blyth Spartans.

Liam Watson’s side were rewarded for their patience having been frustrated for a large part as the game remained goalless.

After 66 minutes the deadlock was broken through an unlikely source, as Mohammed headed home a corner to take the lead.

A Morgan penalty a few minutes later sealed the three points as the Port returned to winning ways.

Southport imposed their dominance early on in the game, having the better of the chances in the opening exchanges.

Devarn Green, playing as a striker, had one effort deflected into the keeper’s hands, whilst he fired another over Nathan Harker’s goal.

Brad Bauress also forced the Spartans keeper into action, as his free kick was tipped over the bar.

Port did have the ball in the back of net in the 17th minute, but Green was flagged offside as he tucked away Kieran Glynn’s cross.

Watson’s side continued to press as Raul Correia forced the keeper into a save, whilst David Morgan had his shot tipped past the left post.

The visitors endured an injury plagued opening 20 minutes, as they were forced into two substitutions.

Meanwhile Southport also suffered a blow, as Dean Winnard was also forced to make way in the 24th minute.

Blyth then started to grow into the half, and began to mount pressure of their own, with Jake Orrell having the best opportunity.

Down the other end Southport were still trying to break the deadlock, as Bauress tried his luck from distance, with Harker tipping over the bar.

From the resulting corner, the Port had two chances to take the lead. First Ryan Astles had an attempt blocked; before Zehn Mohammed slotted the rebound wide.

With a minute remaining of the first half Bauress had yet another crack but pulled his effort from outside of the box wide of the right post.

Astles also had another late effort but headed over from a corner as the two sides went into the break 0-0.

At the start of the second half, chances became even more scarce, with neither side managing to test the opposition’s keeper.

Calls for a penalty were waved away by the ref, after Green went down in the box.

Frustrations were beginning to grow as it looked a like a goal would never come.

Then on the 66th minute, Southport finally broke the deadlock as Mohammed put a powerful header past the keeper from a Bauress corner.

Five minutes later, the Port were handed an opportunity to double their lead after a foul on Correia in the box.

From the resulting penalty, Morgan slotted just past the keepers reach in the bottom left corner, to make it 2-0.

Blyth had a chance straight from the restart to pull one back, but substitute Levi Amantchi could not put his shot on target after a good run.

Connor Woods nearly got a Southport third, after a superb turn put in an excellent position, but could not beat the keeper.

After scoring a stunner against York last week, Morgan nearly produced a similar strike, with the keeper just tipping over his 80th minute attempt.

With the Spartans unable to break through, Southport sealed a 2-0 victory and three points.

Southport: Charles Albinson, Reagan Ogle, Jack Doyle, Dean Winnard (24’), Ryan Astles, David Morgan, Kieran Glynn (73′), Russell Benjamin, Devarn Green (63’), Raul Correia, Brad Bauress.

Substitutes: Zehn Mohammed (24’), Paddy Lacey (63’) Connor Woods (73′)

Unused subs: Andrew Parry, Dan Hanford

Goals: Mohammed (66’), Morgan (71,’ Pen)

Blyth Spartans: Nathan Harker, Rhys Evans, Anthony Callaghan, Jack Hunter (11’), Joe Robson, Ryan Hutchinson (20’), Callum Roberts, Lewis Hawkins, Michael Sweet, Jake Orrell, Robert Dale (70’).

Substitutes: Tom Devitt (11’), Ursene Mouanda (20’), Levi Amantchi (70’)

Unused subs: Olly Scott, Mark Foden.