Southport 3 Rushall Olympic 0. Match report

National North status guaranteed after a comfortable 3-0 win against Rushall Olympic at The Big Help Stadium.

With Rusdhall also needing a point to be mathematically safe it was always set to be a cagey affair and so it proved until Tyler Walton headed home a delightful Richie Bennett cross in the 45th minute to give the home side the lead to take into the break.

Jim spoke about it being a gamble to start with Walton, after a long injury break, but it was a gamble that paid off in fine style when Bennett once again providing the assist for Walton to execute a smart finish to make it 2-0 in the 49th minute.

Rushall were finding it difficult playing with the wind in the second half with a series of passes being overhit and it was Southport who put the game beyond doubt through Festus Arthur who headed home from a corner to cue wild celebrations on and off the pitch.

The game was held up for 12 minutes after Southport Assistant Manager Andy Burgess suffered an epileptic fit in the dug out and was taken from the pitch on a stretcher as both teams left the field of play. We are happy to update that Andy is fine.

With results going the way both sides wanted the game petered out into a quiet last few minutes and barring a mathematical disaster for Rushall they were also able to confirm National North football for 2024-25.

The Southport Brewery Sponsored Man Of The Match chosen by match sponsors Howard Birch and The Grogmonsters who also receives the Adam Le Roi Trophy was not surprisingly Tyler Walton.