Southport FC up and running with fine victory over Darlington

Southport secured their first league win of the season with a 3-0 victory over Darlington at the Pure Stadium.

Chris Doyle, Jordan Archer and Marcus Carver were all on the scoresheet as Liam Watson’s side claimed all three points.

The first two goals came through Doug Tharme long throws, which caused havoc for the visitors throughout the evening.

In the early moments of the match Archer appeared to be through one on one, but Kallum Griffiths produced an excellent recovering challenge to stop him.

Marcus Carver also came close, but couldn’t steer an inventive effort towards goal, with Josh Hmami’s cross just behind him.

The early goal did eventually materialise for the Port in the fourth minute, as Chris Doyle got his head onto a Doug Tharme long throw at the back post to power the ball past Thomas Taylor.

Watson’s side didn’t stop there, as they continued to apply pressure onto the visitors, with multiple chances to add a second.

Darlington also had their own chances, with Cameron Mason needing to make himself to stop a Jake Cassidy effort, unknowing that the referee would blow up for a foul.

One of the visitors best efforts came from Ben Hedley on the edge of the box, with the ball whizzing past the right post.

Down the other end, Southport were increasingly coming closer from set-piece, with several corners needing blocking over the bar.

Hmami wasn’t far off with a free kick on the edge of the box, putting it just wide of the target.

The Port didn’t have to wait too much longer to double their lead, as a second goal came two minutes before the break.

Another long throw by Tharme found its way to the head of Doyle, who flicked it on for Archer to nod in.

Early in the second half, Darlington looked to pull one back with a pre-planned set piece, but Will Hatfield pull the free kick wide of the target.

Mason was tested just after the hour mark, as he needed to move quickly to palm away a long-ranged effort from substitute Alex Purver.

Jack Lambert, who also came off the bench, went close as well.

After neatly chopping back inside past Charlie Oliver, he could only find the side netting with his shot.

With seven minutes remaining, Southport put the victory beyond all doubt with a third goal.

Carver didn’t give up, as he worked hard chase down the ball, with Taylor far too casual.

As the keeper went to pick up the ball, the Port striker took it away from him, before tapping into the empty net from a tight angle.

A fourth nearly followed, with a deflected Hmami shot just about stopped.

Niall Watson also had the chance to add his name the scoresheet from the penalty spot, but Taylor guessed the right way to make a good stop.

Tempers flared at the end, with red cards shown to both Jack Bainbridge and Luke Charman after an altercation between both sets of players.

Southport FC: Cam Mason, Charlie Oliver, Jack Doyle, Adam Anson (C), Doug Tharme, Charlie Munro (86′), Jordan Archer (64’), Marcus Carver, Chris Doyle, Josh Hmami (88′), Jack Bainbridge.

Substitutes: Connor Woods, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (88′), Tony McMillan, Dylan Vassallo (86′), Niall Watson (64’).

Goals: Chris Doyle (4’), Archer (43’), Carver (83′)

Red card: Bainbridge (90′)

Darlington: Thomas Taylor, Joe Wheatley, (54’) Alex Storey, Ben Hedley, Will Hatfield, Luke Charman, Jarrett Rivers (52’), Jake Cassidy, Kevin Dos Santos (57’), Kallum Griffiths, Jake Cooper.

Substitutes: Junior Mondal, Jack Lambert (52’), Andrew Nelson (57’), Alex Purver (53’), Danny Rose.

Yellow card: Jake Cooper (9’)

Red Card: Charman (90′)

Sponsors Man Of The Match Sponsored By Southport Brewery: Doug Tharme

Media Man Of The Match : Chris Doyle