Southport’s strong run continues with 3-1 win at Curzon Ashton

by Daniel Hayes, www.southportcentral.co.uk

Southport made it back-to-back wins over the Easter weekend with a 3-1 victory at Curzon Ashton, extending a run of form that continues to gather momentum and underlining how much has changed since the reverse fixture in December. On that occasion, Curzon had exposed Southport’s defensive fragility during an injury-hit spell. Here, Manager Neil Danns made 6 changes to his starting line-up after a physical contest against Marine on Good Friday, and still produced the goods.

In contrast to the larger crowds Southport have played in front of in recent weeks, just 514 were in attendance at the Tameside Stadium. In bright Easter sunshine, however, the visitors were backed by a strong following, with an estimated two-thirds of those present supporting Southport.

After an even start, the breakthrough came after 16 minutes. A dangerous ball flashed across the face of the goal from Danny Lloyd, causing confusion in the Curzon defence, with nobody able to make clean contact. The ball was recovered on the opposite flank by Sam Minihan, who picked out Malakai McKenzie on the penalty spot. McKenzie took a touch to set himself before guiding a composed finish with the outside of his left foot into the bottom right corner.

Southport looked threatening again three minutes later when McKenzie was played in down the left. Driving into the box, he opened his body for a left-footed effort, but pulled his shot wide of the far post.

Southport nearly doubled their lead in bizarre fashion on 23 minutes. Former Port player Jordan Richards, badly overhit a backpass towards his own goalkeeper Callum Hawkins, and for a moment it looked as though the ball might creep in for an own goal. Hawkins was forced to scramble back and recover before the damage was done.

Hawkins’ opposite number, George Pickford, recalled to the side for the suspended Chris Renshaw, was called into action for the first time two minutes later, but the effort was tame and comfortably gathered low to his right.

Woltman then produced a strong run for the visitors, driving past several challenges before feeding McKenzie. His cross-cum shot drifted just wide of Hawkins’ right-hand post as Southport continued to look the more dangerous side.

There was little else of note before the interval, with Southport managing the game well and taking a deserved 1-0 lead into half-time.

Southport began the second half with a warning sign when an uncharacteristic misplaced pass from Luke Griffiths gifted Curzon an early opportunity, though Pickford was equal to it. At the other end, Southport nearly doubled their advantage on 50 minutes when a corner was pulled back by Griffiths to Lloyd, whose powerful strike was well held by the goalkeeper.

Curzon’s equaliser arrived three minutes later and again stemmed from another turnover. Griffiths was caught in possession for the second time in quick succession, allowing Curzon to break. Tony Weston punished the lapse emphatically, finding the top corner with a finish that gave Pickford no chance.

Although there were moments of carelessness, Southport showed both resilience and control, responding immediately to the setback. Just two minutes later, they were back in front. A corner caused problems that Curzon failed to clear, and after Hilton’s initial scuffed effort was blocked, the ball fell invitingly to Jordan Keane on the edge of the box. Making his 50th competitive appearance for the club, Keane kept his composure to drive a low strike into the bottom corner for his first Southport goal.

Arthur Gnahoua, introduced from the bench with around half an hour to go, saw a shot held after neat build-up play involving Griffiths, McKenzie, Minihan and Lloyd as Southport looked to put the game beyond reach.

The decisive third goal, however, didn’t arrive until five minutes from time. Tom Moore made a sliding interception on the halfway line before driving forward into space. Spotting Arthur’s run, he played a well-timed pass into the channel, and the forward finished calmly with a low strike into the bottom corner.

There was still time for Southport to threaten again in stoppage time. A quick break led by Gnahoua released Hilton, who squared for Jordan Slew, but with only the goalkeeper to beat, he struck straight at him.

It mattered little. Southport saw out the closing moments comfortably to record a deserved 3-1 win, completing a productive Easter weekend and continuing a run of form that is the envy of the division.