Southport 2 Barrow 1 in pre season friendly

A pulsating opening five minutes at the Pure Stadium helped Southport to a 2-1 victory over League Two side Barrow this afternoon, with Adam Anson and Jack Bainbridge finding the net to secure a third consecutive victory.

Liam Watson’s men made a mockery of last season’s 42 place gap between the sides, taking the lead through an Adam Anson header before Jack Bainbridge doubled the lead just two minutes later with a well-taken finish.

The visitors did get a foothold on the game early in the second-half as Ollie Banks powered home an effort from distance, but Southport held on to make it three victories in the space of a week.

Southport had the first chance of the game, as Russell Benjamin hit a ferocious shot from the edge of the area that came cannoning off the bar before it was scrambled to safety.

The Port wouldn’t have to wait long for the breakthrough, however, as a whipped Josh Hmami corner found the head of Adam Anson who glanced the ball into the far corner, leaving Paul Farman motionless in the Blue Birds goal to give The Yellows a deserved lead.

It would soon get even better for the home side as a lovely interchange between Jack Bainbridge and Hmami resulted in the former bearing down on the Barrow goal, calmly slotting home to double our lead with only four minutes gone.

Barrow began to get a foot on the ball and almost found their way back into the contest, but Dimitri Sea headed wide from close range after a pinpoint Ollie Banks free-kick picked out the Frenchman.

Sea would come closer soon after, but his next point-blank header lacked power and was easily caught by Cam Mason, before the ‘keeper did brilliantly to deny the forward again just minutes later, foiling the 19-year-old as he went through one-on-one.

Barrow would eventually work their way back into the game, however, as Ollie Banks arrowed in a fine effort from the edge of the box in the 50th minute to half the arrears.

Remeao Hutton then went close just a minute later for Mark Cooper’s men, smashing the same bar that Benjamin had in the first half with a strike from just inside the area.

Southport withstood the onslaught and began to threaten themselves on the hour mark, as Connor Woods came close with a header, before Marcus Carver did the same from six-yards out, only to be denied by Farman.

Jack Bainbridge – who put in a fine personal display – then broke into the Barrow box moments later with his cut-back finding the impressive Woods, but his effort was straight down the throat of Farman who scooped it to safety.

The two resumed their personal battle in the 75th minute with Farman once again coming out on top, as Woods shimmied one way, then the next, before unleashing a powerful effort that the 32-year-old had to tip over the bar.

Down the other end, the bar in front of the travelling was taking quite the beating, with Matty Platt seeing his effort deflected onto the woodwork and behind for a corner.

Luke James then tried his luck but again found Mason in defiant mood, turning his man in the box and releasing a shot on goal, but the ‘keeper was equal to it to secure the result for Southport.

Liam and the lads next travel to Warrington on Tuesday, looking to make it four wins in a row.

Southport – Cam Mason (GK), Charlie Oliver, Adam Anson, Doug Tharme, Chris Doyle, Jack Doyle (69); Jack Bainbridge, Russell Benjamin © (69), Josh Hmami; Marcus Carver (69), Connor Woods.

Subs – Charlie Munro (69), Tony McMillan. Dylan Vassallo (69), A Trialist (69)

Barrow – Paul Farman (GK), Patrick Brough, Jason Taylor (45), Matty Platt, Mark Ellis © (63), Josh Gordon (63), Joe Grayson (63), Remeao Hutton, Dimitri Sea (45), Ollie Banks, Kgosi Ntlhe

Report By James Pendleton