Money may not buy you love, to judge by a muted clutch of travelling Grays Athletic supporters, but it can certainly deliver success.
With the scarcity of numbers on Haig Avenue’s Blowick End, an eerily subdued mood from those who did make the trip and their seeming discontentment with chief benefactor Mick Woodward, one could be forgiven for thinking that the Essex side were finding it difficult to adapt to live in the Nationwide Conference. Far from it.
The substantial cash contribution from Woodward, a local self-made multi-millionaire, obviously provides the foundations for potential glory, but to assume the Blues’ startling inauguration to their first season in the top-flight of the non-league pyramid is solely a result of financial injections would be gravely naďve.
Forget any off-field issues, because on the on the pitch Grays are foolproof. Manager Mark Stimson has a machine oiled with exact precision, brimming with confidence, oozing class and able to produce patches of the purest purple.
Grays supremo Mick Woodward
Preceded by several uplifting performances, Southport boss Liam Watson suggested in midweek that his side were ‘capable of springing a surprise’ against the league leaders. But at the end of an afternoon when Grays equaled Kettering Town’s record of a fifteen match unbeaten start to a Conference season, those comments are probably best described as wishful thinking.
Despite clearly perturbing their high-flying visitors for a ten minute spell mid-way through the second period, the Sandgrounders were simply there to make up the numbers. Debutant Nick Rogan, introduced immediately after the interval, finished a well-worked move on the hour to halve the deficit, but Southport struggled to cohere and largely failed to contest a one-sided encounter.
Comprising several individual star performers, Grays displayed a ruthless efficiency without hitting top gear. The power and pace displayed by Aaron McLean was stupendous, John Martin’s canny brain exceed anticipation and the potent threat provided by Jamie Slabber tormented his opponents. Collectively, they combined to an overawing affect and despite wavering briefly after their opponents had scored, Athletic retained the upper hand throughout a potentially tricky fixture.
If Grays’ ambition of an unprecedented rise to the Football League is to be achieved, then preserving their impressive run of form is essential. Alternatively for Southport, their overriding aim of survival in the Nationwide Conference will not ultimately be decided against a side destined to reach new rights. Any surprises sprung on the top teams should be in addition to fundamental points necessitated against teams within nearer vicinity.
Last week, a forceful showing in the concluding half hour was enough to edge the Sandgrounders past Kidderminster Harriers in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. But this time, amassing just one shot on target, a similarly sluggish start to proceedings proved unfixable. Playing with a peculiar hesitation, the hosts were reluctant to attack, struggled to dovetail and recklessly frustrated themselves as they appeared to play in fear of their nouveau-riche opponents.
And it was their ill-endorsed nervousness that led to Grays opening the scoring after just seven minutes. Having previously threatened, a teasing right-wing cross from Dennis Oli eluded the Southport defence and was converted astutely by Michael Kightly from inside the area.
Goal
Top scorer Jamie Slabber looped a curling effort narrowly over after exquisite approach play, before John Martin shot wide of the far post and goalkeeper Steve Dickinson was alert to smartly smother at the feet of Aaron McLean.
The visitors ably doubled their lead on twenty-two minutes following a controlled period of possession and excellent individual play from the mercurial Martin. He casually waltzed around three Southport defenders before a well-timed pull-back from the byline was stroked home by Slabber seven-yards from goal.
Goal
Despite reducing the tempo, Grays remained in control of proceedings, with McLean again coming close, before Oli blazed wide following good play from the right.
The visitors’ dominance continued into the second period, as Stuart Thurgood, dominant in the centre of the park, shot wide and Sambrook forced goalkeeper Dickinson into a quality block from an acute angle.
Skipper Thurgood also had an effort scraped away by Kevin Lynch, before the Southport stopper denied Oli with an excellent reflex save from point-blank range.
A tweak in formation allowed the Sandgrounders to threaten and after Kevin Leadbetter had narrowly shot wide, Nick Rogan halved the arrears fourteen minutes into his Southport debut.
Leadbetter’s pass was knocked on by Baker, allowing Rogan to execute a controlled finish across ‘keeper Eyre and into the bottom left-hand corner.
While a second half cameo was insufficient evidence to accurately forecast how the former Morecambe striker will ultimately fare at Haig Avenue, some neat touches and a vigorous endeavour to chase play was appreciated by the Southport faithful.
And the home fans were also admiring of the five-minute spell which presured as their side took the game to Grays. Although adjudged to be offside offside, Nicky Eyre's nervous save from Steve Daly displayed an stark uneasiness, while Stevland Angus appeared particularly susceptible when pressured.
Southport boss Liam Watson
But any reprieve was merely provisional as the league leaders regained their two-goal cushion on seventy minutes after slack defending. Andrew Sambrook’s high free-kick from the right was converted by defender Jamie Stuart, capitalising on hesitancy from Lane and Davis.
Jamie Slabber was denied a personal second after Dickinson again produced a smart save, but another superb display from the Southport stopper tarnished with three-minutes remaining as an unorthodox error gifted the Blues a fourth. His sliced clearance fell kindly for Gary Hooper who quickly advanced before rolling the ball home.
If Grays’ menacing qualities avoid defeat at home to Accrington in a fortnight, the Essex high-flyers will make Conference history with a sixteen match unbeaten start to the campaign. Alternatively, Southport must learn that you only get smarter by playing smarter opponents.
(Alan Jones)
Pictured is Grays' John Martin
Southport: (4-4-2) 1. Steve Dickinson, 19. Chris Lane, 6. Earl Davis, 4. Neil Fitzhenry, 16. Michael Powell, 5. Carl Baker, 10. Dominic Morley, 14. Kevin Lynch (21. Robbie Booth ’70), 7. Kevin Leadbetter (20. Matthew McGinn ’70), 11. Steve Daly, 8. Neil Robinson (9. Nick Rogan ’46).
Unused Substitutes: 15. Jamie Speare, 12. Farrell Kilbane.
Referee: M. Haywood
Attendance: 1,148
Southport.gb.com Southport Man of the Match: 16. Michael Powell
Final Score: Southport 1, Grays Athletic 4
Possession: Southport 46%, Grays Athletic 54%
Shots on Target: Southport 1, Grays Athletic 7
Shots off Target: Southport 5, Grays Athletic 5
Corners: Southport 2, Grays Athletic 6
Fouls Committed: Southport 9, Grays Athletic 12
Bookings: Southport 2, Grays Athletic 1
Sent-Off: Southport 0, Grays Athletic 0
Grays manager Mark Stimson
