Forthcoming Fixtures

City late Par Putt at Southport

Southport FC 1 - 1 MCFC Reserves

With the Open golf tournament taking place just down the road at Royal Birkdale and most of the big names finding their shots falling by the wayside of the fairways; it was the underdogs Southport that showed the way from the third minute with a goal from Tony Gray and City had to wait till the ninetieth minute to restore parity with an equalizer from James Poole.

Southport who just missed out on promotion from the Blue Square North Conference after being beaten in the play-offs by Stalybridge started the game very brightly and took the lead as the clock ticked into the third minute with a fine looping cross that found Tony Gray in between the two centre halves and headed into the far corner of the net.

With the wind blowing strongly off the sea; City were playing against the wind in the first half and just after ten minutes Adam Clayton played in a cross that caught in the swirling wind and carried itself to the far corner of the goal; but former Blackburn goalkeeper Steven Drench who are own coaching staff would have known all about steadied himself well and was able to just tip the ball over the bar.

In the second part of the first half a ball was played over the top of the defence; thinking that there was no trouble the Southport defence were pretty static and despite a couple of City players who were offside at the point of play; they stayed still and Karl Moore ran from deep down the wing to take the ball and play a fine cross to David Ball; but his effort was tame and straight at Drench.

Four minutes later Slovakian Vladimir Weiss played a lovely floated ball from the right for Kelvin Etuhu to run onto; but again Drench pulled of a fine save to deny City. Indeed Drench was clearly the man of the match for his first half display as he also got down bravely at a melee to trap the ball at the far post and deservedly was applauded off at half time.

The second half saw City change things at the back as Clayton McDonald and Ryan McGivern were at sixes and sevens with each other and too many gaps were appearing. That sured things up as City controlled the game far more in the second half but missed golden chances to score, Etuhu and Poole being the worst culprits.

To their credit however they did not stop believing as they continued to probe the Southport defence; and that belief was fulfilled when substitute Ian Daly forced his way through the defence with some fortunate ricochets and was twelve yards out when his shot was fired in; but again Drench got himself behind it, but could only parry the ball into the direction of Poole who slotted the ball into the corner of the net.

There was a late scuffle between substitute Matthew Brown and Southport's Mark Duffy; but fortunately for the pair, referee Jake Collin dished out some common sense harsh words to the two miscreants.

Not a bad opening gambit to the pre-season for the reserves, but I expect that some more shooting practice in the next few days should help things more. As of yet the next reserve match that is official is Hyde Unite, a week on Monday. However I expect there will be one some time next week.

Southport: Drench(GK), Lee, S Gray, Davis, Connolly, Price, Duffy, Moogan, T Gray, Kilheeney, Noone.

Subs: McMillan(GK), Walker, Parry, Robinson, McGinn.


City: Martin(GK), Logan(Vidal 72), Williamson(Morris 72), Clayton(Kay 61), McDonald(Brown 46), McGivern(Ramsey 46), Weiss(McDermott 61), Marshall, Ball(Poole 46), Etuhu(Daly 72), Moore.

Subs: Hartley(GK).


Att: Approx 500.