REPORT | Southport 1-0 Gloucester

REPORT | Tiger Tussle

Southport needed to fight hard to produce a 1-0 victory over Gloucester at the Pure Stadium.

Brad Bauress scored in the 36th minute to put Liam Watson’s side ahead, but it was a far from easy task.

The visitors applied pressure in the final moments of the game, but the Port were able to hold on for the three points.

Chances were rare in the opening 35 minutes, with the visitor’s best effort coming from a Joe Hanks attempt from the edge of the area, with Charlie Albinson easily catching.

Meanwhile the Port also had half chances of their own, with Ryan Astles and David Morgan both having headed efforts going off target.

Marcus Wood also tried his luck from outside of the box, but his tame attempt was easily stopped by Will Henry.

Then in the 36th minute, the deadlock was broken as Brad Bauress slotted past the keeper smoothly into the bottom right corner.

A superb bit of build up play by Watson’s side allowed Morgan to slot the winger through to make it 1-0.

Just before half time, Wood nearly made it two, as his long-ranged effort just went over the bar.

Two minutes the break, Astles also had an opportunity to get the Port’s second, as he curled a shot towards the left corner, but the keeper got down to stop it.

Morgan also had a few chances to get his name on the scoresheet, with one attempt blocked, and another from a free kick easily caught by Henry.

A bit of fortune nearly got the Port a second goal, as a Russell Benjamin attempt hit Sampson and nearly deflected into the goal.

Down the other end, Albinson was called into action to make a good save to keep Southport in front.

There were a few nervous moments for the Port in the final 15 minutes, as the visitors applied pressure on the back line.

With a minute left on the clock Zehn Mohammed made an excellent block to put the ball over the bar.

That victory keeps Watson’s side in the playoff spots as a busy December gets going in the right manner.

Southport FC: Charlie Albinson, Zehn Mohammed, Jack Doyle, Dean Winnard, Ryan Astles, David Morgan, Russell Benjamin, Marcus Wood (50’), Connor Woods (80’), Jack Sampson (76’), Brad Bauress.

Substitutes: Raul Corriea (50’), Charlie Oliver (76’), Kieran Glynn (80’).

Unused Subs: Edvards Servuts, Dan Hanford.

Goal: Bauress (36’)

Gloucester: Will Henry, Spencer Hamilton, Jack Senior, Liam Daly, Sam Avery, Josh Thomas, Joe Parker, Joe Hanks (75’), Marlon Jackson, Daniel Sweeney (60’), Fabien Robert.

Substitutes: Zac Kotwica (60’), Ross Johnstone (75’),

Unused: Chris Knowles, Kieran Smith,

Attendance:819