Southport kicked off the new season with a 0-0 stalemate against Gateshead up in the North East.
After a summer of waiting, the opening match of the campaign didn’t quite get the fans off their seats, as opportunities to score were at a minimum.
The first chance of the game fell to Jack Sampson, who didn’t trouble Bradley James in the Heed goal with a tame shot straight at him.
On the 15-minute mark, Liam Watson’s side came close again, this time it was Dion Charles who tested the keeper with a chance in the box.
Gateshead’s first shot of the game came not long after, as Danny Greenfield shot well wide from the edge of the box.
Charles had another opportunity to open the scoring as the Port was awarded a free kick just outside the box, but once again it was easily saved by the Heed keeper.
Dan Hanford was then called into action for the first time, as he made an excellent save to stop Southport from going behind.
With neither side able to create a substantial chance to go ahead in the opening 45 minutes, the scores were level at the break.
Early in the second half, David Morgan saw an ambitious long shot sail wide as he tried to break the deadlock.
Charles also had another opportunity, but the keeper came off his line to block the ball and stop the threat.
Southport chances continued to be spurned, as Devarn Green fired over the bar from the edge of the box, whilst Morgan blasted another shot over the bar.
In the 71st minute, a golden opportunity fell to Zehn Mohammed in the box, forcing the keeper to produce an excellent save from close range.
The right back was then booked for a poor challenge on the Heed keeper, as frustration continued to grow.
With six minutes remaining, Gateshead looked to put Southport under pressure from a corner but could only head over the bar.
Another chance nearly fell to the home side as Hanford parried a cross from the right, but the keeper was able to recover and collected the ball.
That proved to be the final opportunity, in a game of no real chances.
A point to kick off the campaign will satisfy both sides with nothing else deserved, but their will be hope for better performances across the next few weeks.
Gateshead FC: Brad James, Alex Nicholson, Scott Barrow, Connor Oliver, Toby Lees, Mike Williamson, Connor Thomson (62’), Liam Agnew, Paul Blackett (53’), Greg Olley, Danny Greenfield (74’).
Substitutes: JJ O’Donnell (61’), Joshua Kayode (53’), Elliot Forbes (74’)
Unused Subs:Sam Guthrie, Michael Nelson
Yellow Card: Barrow (78’)
Southport FC: Dan Hanford, Zehn Mohammed, Reagan Ogle, Dean Winnard, Ryan Astles, Andy Parry, Devarn Green, David Morgan, Dion Charles (80’), Jack Sampson, Brad Bauress.
Substitutes: Raul Correia (80’)
Unused Subs: Charlie Albinson, Kieran Glynn, Morgan Homson Smith, Ben Russell.
Goals:
Yellow Cards: Green (30’), Mohammed (77’)
Attendance: 879 (88 Southport)
Written by Amos Wynn
OTS News on Social Media