The year ended in defeat for Southport as they suffered a 3-0 loss to Altrincham at the J. Davidson Stadium.
Liam Watson’s side could not contain a dominant Alty side, who were in control throughout the match.
John Johnston bagged himself a brace for the home side, as the Sandgrounders were sentenced to a second defeat in the space of three days.
In the opening minutes of the match, it was the Port who started the brighter, as Russell Benjamin forced the keeper into a save with an attempt from the edge of the box.
That proved to be Southport’s only substantial effort of the match, with further speculative efforts from David Morgan and Ryan Astles both off target.
Meanwhile down the other end, Charlie Albinson was being kept very busy by the home side.
Josh Hancock forced the keeper into an excellent save, producing a curling shot from the edge of the area.
From the resulting corner, a goal line clearance from Jack Doyle was required to keep things level.
Just after the half hour mark, Albinson was required to make another superb stop, tipping a well hit strike by Simon Richman over the bar.
Liam Watson’s side continued to be pressured by an Altrincham, who were looking for back to back wins, but held off the string of attacks to go into the break with the score at 0-0.
Only three minutes into the second half and the home side made their pressure pay off, as Jordan Hulme slotted the ball through to John Johnston who finished superbly into the top corner from a tight angle.
Altrincham could’ve doubled their lead, but Shaun Densmore put an effort just past the post on the break in the 55th minute.
Threats continued to come for the Port, as the Robins doubled their lead in the 70th minute as Hancock smoothly slotted past Albinson to make it 2-0.
A third soon followed, as Hulme muscled his way onto the ball to assist Johnston bagged his second of the afternoon, as he kept his cool in the box with a clever finish.
Altrincham could have had another, with one effort straight into the keeper’s arms and another swerving over the bar, as the game finished 3-0.
It was certainly an end to 2019 that Southport will want to forget, as they look ahead to getting 2020 off to a much better start.
Altrincham: Tony Thompson, Shaun Densmore, Andy White (26’), James Jones, Tom Hannigan, Jack Moult, John Johnston, Sean Williams (14’), Jordan Hulme, Josh Hancock, Max Harrop.
Substitutes: Simon Richman (14’), Connor Hampson (26’)
Unused Subs: Ethan Walker, Toby Mullarkey, Joel Torrance.
Goals: Johnston (48,’ 75’), Hancock (70’)
Southport FC: Charlie Albinson, Charles Oliver, Jack Doyle, Dean Winnard (77’), Ryan Astles, David Morgan, Russell Benjamin, Marcus Wood, Raul Correia, Jack Sampson (85’), Morgan Homson-Smith (60’).
Substitutes: Devarn Green (60’), Reagan Ogle (77’), Connor Woods (85’)
Unused subs: Zehn Mohammed, Dan Hanford.
Yellow Card: Dean Winnard (65’), Wood (93’)
Attendance: 1519 (175 away)