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Tue 11th Apr 2006, 10:18 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southport
Posts: 1,953
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Southport FC 1 - 0 Woking
With attentions understandably occupied by the conspicuous imperfections of a threadbare squad, it is easy to lose sight of the virtues held by those who have remained loyal to the cause.
Nobody can ignore the reasons behind a season of prolonged struggle at Haig Avenue and no matter where Southport end up in nineteen days time, everyone will have their own opinion as to where lessons can be learnt.
But as we near the frenetic close of a campaign that has been dominated by talk of new faces, or the lack of them, it was old friends who last night came to the fore once again.
Liam Blakeman, the most impressive of the few fresh arrivals during the past twelve months, may have bagged the goal that secured the Sandgrounders’ ninth victory this term, but success was very much indebted to the less glamorous names on show.
There are many supporters this year who have been unconvinced that Dominic Morley is Nationwide Conference quality, let alone able to dominate proceedings. On a night when Southport needed to deliver the goods, however, it is debatable whether last season’s official star man has had a more fulfilling ninety minutes in a yellow shirt since returning to Haig Avenue to win promotion.
Having missed out during Saturday’s defeat against Halifax Town, Morley assumed responsibility and set the example for his team-mates to follow. Steve Pickford, the thrusting skipper who worked diligently, was also instrumental, while defender Gary Brabin continues to impress with his invaluable experience.
Watching Southport wouldn’t be the same without a multitude of sweaty palms at the final-whistle, but despite a nervous conclusion, this is the closest the home support has come to seeing a routine victory for a long while. As a contest, it could hardly be classed as riveting - although passion, endeavour and, most crucial of all, three points, more than compensated for any lack of elegance.
Blakeman landed the determinative strike on twenty-two minutes and it was the first meaningful chance of a fragmented opening period. The Southport midfielder did well to steer his measured side-footed strike inside a rapidly narrowing angle from fourteen yards, having profited upon a clumsy clearance from defender Gary MacDonald, who misdirected after blocking an initial effort from Robbie Booth.
A fully deserved victory in which their only regret was that supremacy did not transcend into goals, Liam Watson’s side haul themselves out of the drop zone for twenty-four hours at least. Eyes will on the McCain Stadium where Scarborough and Tamworth later this evening, but Southport must ensure they record elusive back-to-back victories when hosting Gravesend and Northfleet on Saturday.
Despite a territorial advantage during the initial exchanges, Woking were largely disjointed and went through the entire half without threatening Steve Dickinson’s goal. The FA Trophy finalists have now won just once in eight league outings and unfortunately for the Sandgrounders, they conclude their season with matches against struggling Forest Green Rovers and Altrincham.
1-0
Team celebrate
After Blakeman had found the target, a free-kick from Carl Baker was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Shwan Jalal, who also thwarted the industrious Booth after turning smartly following a through ball from Morley.
Striker Booth was lively during his first Conference start of the season and spurned a glorious opportunity on forty-three minutes having been released by Pickford’s neat pass, only to conclude his surging run by losing composure at the vital moment and blaze over the bar.
Defender MacDonald made amends for his costly blunder with a stern block to deny the former Chester City youngster when bearing down on goal, before team-mate Tom Hutchinson also produced a life-saving challenge when Steve Daly seemed certain to score after being played in by Morley.
Although Liam Cockerill and Karl Murray both forced ‘keeper Dickinson into action with shots from distance, the Sandgrounders came closest to adding to the goals, as stopper Jalal produced an acrobatic finger-tip save to deny Brabin’s bullet header from a Chris Lane free-kick.
Genuine moments of worry for Southport were few and far between, but it was nevertheless a nerve-wracking finale with talisman Justin Richards and seven-goal Craig McAllister both added to the Woking mix. Richards, Murray and Steve Ferguson all had chances without finding the target, as too did Daly, whose Southport team-mates have now recorded more victories than any other side in the bottom four.
For months, manager Watson has insisted there is a belief at Haig Avenue that will see his side through. Many have had their say about the Sandgrounders this term, but with passion, courage and desire, who knows what can happen?
(Alan Jones)
Southport.gb.com Match Facts:
Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Steve Dickinson, 19. Chris Lane, 18. Gary Brabin, 25. Mark Roberts, 3. Jerome Fitzgerald, 5. Carl Baker (6. Earl Davis ’74), 10. Dominic Morley, 17. Liam Blakeman (26. Chris Price ’90), 2. Steve Pickford, 21. Robbie Booth (9. Mark Jackson ’78), 11. Steve Daly.
Unused Substitutes: 15. Jamie Speare, 16. Michael Powell.
Referee: K. Evans
Attendance: 1,054
Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 10. Dominic Morley
Final Score: Southport 1, Woking 0
Possession: Southport 51%, Woking 49%
Shots on Target: Southport 5, Woking 2
Shots off Target: Southport 6, Woking 2
Corners: Southport 6, Woking 5
Fouls Committed: Southport 17, Woking 13
Bookings: Southport 1, Woking 3
Sent-Off: Southport 0, Woking 0
Southport and Birkdale United Under 9's
Woking forward Lloyd Blackman
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Tue 11th Apr 2006, 10:20 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 33
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Well Done Boys Keep The Good Work Up
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Tue 11th Apr 2006, 10:34 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Waiting for the football season to start
Posts: 389
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Crucial win - could have been more than 1-0, but a win is a win.
Roll on Saturday and 3 more points.
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Tue 11th Apr 2006, 10:38 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 103
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Well Done, espeically keeping a 1-0 win for the most part of the game. 2 more wins will do it I should imagine, Keep Robbie Booth up front!
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Tue 11th Apr 2006, 10:42 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,064
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A smashing result but let's not lose sight of the bigger picture. If we stay up this season it will be in spite of Clapham and his cronies not because of them. This Football Club will continue to stand still (at best) while the current Chairman and his sycophantic gang of "Yes Men" hold sway at Haig Avenue.
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Tue 11th Apr 2006, 10:52 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 104
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Scarborough and Tamworth drew 0-0 and we have a game in hand on Tamworth. They could yet get dragged into it.
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Tue 11th Apr 2006, 10:56 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 36
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Here here Tony like I've always felt in order for this football club to progress Clapham MUST GO!
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Tue 11th Apr 2006, 11:29 PM
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Bondy is Back!!
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: SW Turkey
Posts: 3,269
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Tony and Timbo, are you prepared to put 1.5 million of your own money into the club? I don't think so. That's how much Mr Clapham has put into the club since he has been at the helm. If you know of a "sugar Daddy" that is prepared to invest millions then please phone Mr Clapham and let him know. I'm sure he would hand over the reigns without quarrel. BTW, ask the Rushden and Diamond supporters how they feel now that their "sugar daddy" has left!!
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Wed 12th Apr 2006, 12:17 AM
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Life is a drink...
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Southport
Posts: 1,318
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Southport miss so many easy chances. There always arseing around with the ball. I
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Wed 12th Apr 2006, 12:36 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 124
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Marc said:"Southport miss so many easy chances. There always arseing around with the ball"
Did you mean this photo?
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Wed 12th Apr 2006, 07:24 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,064
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Mr B. I trust you have concrete proof that Charlie Clapham has put £1.5m of "his own money" into Southport FC. Perhaps you can direct us to the source of this information, preferably documentary proof rather than just hearsay, so we can all marvel at our glorious Chairman's generosity. I have it on damn good authority that Clapham has turned down two extremely attractive offers for his shares in the club from people who were prepared to invest serious money and take us forward. Unfortunately I can't prove it so I don't see why anybody should be expected to believe me. The same applies to you Mr.B.
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