MATCH PREVIEW | Southport v Eastleigh

by
16th December 2016

MATCH PREVIEW | Southport v Eastleigh

Eastleigh make the long journey north on Saturday to face a Southport side which should be in buoyant mood following last week’s 4-0 victory over Farsley Celtic.

The Spitfires, on the other hand, suffered a shock defeat to Harlow Town last weekend, but did manage to beat Halifax Town on Tuesday to secure a third round FA Cup tie away at Brentford.

Both sides come in to the game boasting new defenders. Southport added Aaron Jones to their ranks on Thursday, while Eastleigh boss Martin Allen raided his former club to bring Gavin Hoyte in from Barnet.

Allen has only been at the club since the 1st December, and has so far managed a win, a draw and a loss from his three games in charge.

Saturday sees several games that can be described as six-pointers in the relegation battle. York City v Torquay United, Maidstone United v North Ferriby United and Woking v Guiseley are all fixtures that need to be paid close attention to, and have the potential to either close gaps between sides or give much needed breathing space in the basement battle.

This is the reverse fixture of Steve Burr’s first match in charge of the Sandgrounders back in September.

A James Gray goal salvaged a point on that occasion, but with the ‘Port looking far stronger now than they did back then, and home advantage added in to the equation, there is reason to be optimistic that all three points could be taken this time round.

By Christy Byrne, sfc website

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