Southport’s third successive defeat after a disappointing trip to Chorley

Report By Matty Hurst

A disappointing trip to Chorley ends with Southport’s third successive defeat as the Magpies run out 4-1 winners at Victory Park.

Port remain without a clean sheet after 5 games conceding 12 in the process.

It was the visitors in blue which started proceedings with intent, with Jamie Proctor’s header coming close in the second minute and then moments later the forward almost turned provider after laying off Luke Burgess whose effort from just inside the box was blocked.

However for the fourth game in a row it was Southport who went behind after having little to none attacking threat Chorley found themselves with a free-kick in the 21st minute, which Adam Blakeman delivered into a dangerous area resulting in a tap in for Mark Ellis.

Despite creating two good chances to equalise it was the home side who doubled the lead, yet again from a set-piece, as Blakeman notched his second assist of the game crossing onto the head of Calveley who made no mistake in firing into the goal.

Port halved the deficit just before the half when a hopeful ball into the box by Lloyd finds Proctor at the back post who takes a touches and places under Matt Urwin making it 2-1 at the break.

The Magpies started the second half strong and got a deserved third goal, after a spell of pressure a corner is not dealt with, Renshaw appeared to be fouled as Ellis taps in his second goal of the game and Port see themselves two goals down after 52 minutes.

Southport did respond with a couple of chances of their own through Proctor and Carver respectively but the home side defended their lead well and were resolute in the air cancelling out most crosses that were whipped in.

The game dwindled out towards the later stages with Ellis having a chance for his hat-trick if not for the woodwork which narrowly denied him and Blakeman a third contribution of the match.

Adam Blakeman left it late to get his third assist of the game with the final action being a free-kick whipped across the penalty area which was attacked by Substitute Scott Wilson for the fourth goal rounding off a dominant display by the home side.

Southport return to action on Saturday as Buxton visit The Big Help Stadium for the first of three fixtures at home.

Line-ups:

Southport (5-3-2): Renshaw, Doyle, Keane ©, Moore (Morgan 79’), Quansah (Knight-Percival 68’), Thomson (Hilton 68’), Spooner (Philliskirk 61’), Lloyd, Burgess, Proctor, Carver.

Unused subs: Owolabi

Chorley (4-4-2): Urwin ©, Henley, Smith, Ellis, Blakeman, Calveley, Nolan, Clarke (Wilson 81’), Hewitt (Touray 87’), Carr (Horbury 76’), Hall (Sampson 83’)

Unused subs: Bird

Media man of the match: Jamie Proctor

Attendance: 1760 (317 away)

Referee: Darius Bradley