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Sun 29th Apr 2007, 09:59 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southport
Posts: 1,953
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Exeter City 2 - 1 Southport FC
Sometimes in football there are days when, regardless of the final outcome, you can do nothing other than appreciate the occasion.
For over an hour Southport threatened to gate-crash the party, but nothing could prevent this from being Exeter City’s afternoon.
The buzz of a high-octane atmosphere is something the Sandgrounders will have to do without for at least one season, so the chance to play their part and bow out on such a big stage is probably best worth savouring.
Southport’s commitment and gutsy attitude ensured their hosts were made to fight for a potentially vital victory.
The Grecians started the day in the final play-off place, and knew that anything less than a win would mean their fate depended on other results.
As things transpired, City would have set-up a semi-final showdown against Oxford United even if they had lost, but having fallen short on the final day of the past two successive seasons, it was an anxious afternoon for the vast majority in the Devon sunshine.
With their own fate already sealed, Southport had pride to play for. Having played in front of their highest home attendance last week, this crowd of 6,670 was the largest to have ever watched the Sandgrounders in a Non-League fixture. But it is safe to say those records won’t be under threat the next time the Sandgrounders play a competitive match.
Southport are as aware as anyone that an expectant bumper crowd can often have an adverse effect. And for 45 minutes, Exeter were certainly overawed by the magnitude of the big occasion.
The Sandgrounders seized on their hosts’ tingling nerves to record an excellent first half performance. Peter Davenport’s side showed effort and enterprise - and having mustered the better of the few chances at that stage, they deservedly went ahead through Paul Tait prior to the interval.
But Exeter re-emerged from the break with renewed intent and once Adam Stansfield drew level, there was only going to be one outcome. The growing frustration on the terraces at St. James’ Park promptly gave way to a delight that gave the home side added momentum.
Stansfield’s second came three minutes after his first and having spurned further opportunities - including two shots which were sent against the woodwork - the Grecians’ margin of victory should have been greater.
With Matt Hocking taken ill overnight, Michael Powell suspended and Dino Maamria injured, the Sandgrounders were forced to change a team that had remained unaltered for the previous five matches. Liam Blakeman adopted an unorthodox right-back role, while goalkeeper Paul Harrison, after being overlooked for nine games, was named as an outfield substitute, but didn’t feature fleetingly in attack as it was suggested he might.
Having revived their season with four successive wins, the Sandgrounders would have finished outside the relegation zone if they had won their final two matches.
Nevertheless, the end of term fight ensured the supporters who travelled on the final day were in good spirit and contributed to a vibrant atmosphere.
109 Southport fans made the trip, a very respectable turnout considering their side had been relegated earlier in the week. That support has held strong is testament to the excellent off-field efforts throughout the season of Chief Executive Haydn Preece and Trust in Yellow, whose contributions mean the Haig Avenue faithful still have hope despite the disappointment of the drop.
Tony Gray floored after being kicked in the face
Once Exeter realised that an opening goal was not forthcoming, the tension soon set in.
Southport worked some decent shooting positions during the opening half, but couldn’t make the most of them. Tait dragged a shot across goal after good approach work by Mark Duffy and Tony Gray, before Blakeman headed wide and then stung the palms of goalkeeper Martin Rice.
The Sandgrounders went ahead shortly before half-time after Duffy’s free-kick was won by Tait, who then executed a neat shot on the turn into the top right-hand corner
Southport celebrate
But having emerged from the interval with extra vigour, Exeter cranked up the tempo and intensity - and after lunging blocks from Holland, Blakeman and Kevin Lee had thwarted potential openings, the Sandgrounders’ resistance was broken on 69 minutes.
Having previously headed wide and had a shot saved, Stansfield notched his first after Rice’s long clearance was touched-on by substitute Jon Challinor, enabling the striker turn defender Steve Rowland before stylishly finding the bottom right-hand corner with a strike across the dive of ‘keeper Terry Smith.
And then it was two. Andy Taylor’s vicious shot was fumbled by Smith, leaving Stansfield to mop up the loose ball.
Challinor and Stansfield missed further opportunities as Exeter threatened every time they ventured forward, while Tait repelled a shot from Lee Phillips on the line before the woodwork was hit twice in the final minutes. Challinor clipped the upright with a curling effort from the tightest of angles and the striker then had a shot parried by Smith from which Phillips was also denied by the post.
It is with some relief that Southport supporters bring to an end a season of marathon travelling, but the journeys awaiting them next season will be by no means more appealing.
(Exeter City 2 - 1 Southport - Southport.gb.com)
* Photos courtesy of Julia Urwin, www.southportfcstats.co.uk
Former Southport player Lee Elam
A minute’s applause in memory of the former Exeter City manager Alan Ball
Southport fan Amy Wignall with the Exeter mascot
Southport.gb.com Match Facts:
Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Terry Smith, 8. Liam Blakeman, 5. Kevin Lee (14. Sean Paterson ’82), 15. Stephen Rowland, 18. Mark Birch, 16. Mark Duffy (22. Jon Newby ’74), 10. Chris Holland, 6. Mark Boyd, 7. Carl Baker, 9. Tony Gray, 25. Paul Tait.
Unused Substitutes: 17. Matt Hocking, 21. Paul Harrison, 31. Mark Houghton.
Referee: G. Ward
Attendance: 6,670
Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 10. Chris Holland
Final Score: Exeter City 2, Southport 1
Possession: Exeter City 52%, Southport 48%
Shots on Target: Exeter City 9, Southport 1
Shots off Target: Exeter City 9, Southport 3
Corners: Exeter City 9, Southport 2
Fouls Committed: Exeter City 14, Southport 6
Bookings: Exeter City 1, Southport 1
Sent-Off: Exeter City 0, Southport 0
Rob Urwin presents Mark Boyd with the Trust in Yellow goal of the season award (Burton away)
St. James' Park
Exeter Cathedral
The St. James' Park pitch was watered by the local Fire Birigade pre-match
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