PREVIEW | Aldershot V Southport

Photo credit: Julia Urwin

Sandgrounders face tough test against Aldershot at Recreation Ground on Saturday

By Christy Byrne

Southport make the trip south to Aldershot on Saturday for a tough assignment against a Shots side very much in the play-off hunt. Gary Waddock’s men find themselves six points outside the top five even after a poor November that saw them pick up just one point in the National League, and they come into the game on the back of a productive festive period. The Shots boosted their chances of climbing into the play-off spots, as well as Southport’s survival hopes, by taking six points from their two meetings with struggling Woking.

Travelling fans of the Sandgrounders will be aware of the threat posed by Aldershot loanee Jonny Giles, who enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Haig Avenue last season under Dino Maamria. The winger signed from Oxford United until the end of the season on Monday and could make his debut against his former club.

There will, however, be excitement from the away side’s perspective about current loanee Delial Brewster. The Everton striker’s performance against Wrexham on New Year’s Day was voted by ‘Port fans as worthy of the man of the match award, and as his match sharpness increases there will surely be more to come.

The Sandgrounders may well need their newest hero on form. Jamie Allen hobbled off against Wrexham, and he could be forced into joining Jordan Lussey on the sidelines for Saturday’s clash. With James Caton having played his last game for the club following his release on Wednesday an opportunity may present itself to new signing Rory McKeown to show his worth following a bright debut last week.