Watson's 84th Minute Strike Seals Win for Southport

Our 400th game in the National League North ended with a 3-2 win in the pouring rain at Rushall Olympic.

Considering the dreadful conditions on a day which would have seen the match off sign going up without the plastic pitch Southport dug deep to take home the 3 points. An entertaining end to end game on our first ever visit to Rushall.

Marcus Carver opened the scoring in the 21st minute when a brillisnt cross by Jack Doyle was headed back by Matty Thomson and Carver was on hand to fire home.

The lead lasted just 7 minutes before Tonks equalised for the home side.

Even the plastic pitch was showing signs of standing water as the second half kicked off and both sides created plenty of chances before Jack Bainbridge headed home an excellent free kick from David Morgan.

Once again it took the home side 7 minutes to get back on terms with the in form Rushall striker Dan Waldron finishing from close range.

With the home side pressing for a winner it was Niall Watson who broke away and provided a winner in the 84th minute.

A slightly nervy final 5 minutes plus the 5 added but the defence defended well and saw the game out.

Line Up: Renshaw, Thomson, Doyle, Quansah, Evans, Bainbridge, Burgess, Morgan, Holmes, Carver (Watson 47) Holmes, O’Neill (F Heath 82)

Unused Subs Kilcullen & McMillan

Attendance 426

Media MOTM: Jack Bainbridge solid at the back when playing in central defence, a goal and then excellent in midfield when the switch came.