Southport crash out of FA Trophy as 15 match unbeaten run comes to an end

Southport’s 15-match unbeaten run was brought to an end by higher-ranked opposition as they exited the Buildbase FA Trophy against Solihull Moors.

The Port could only watch as Andrew Dallas hit a hat-trick to send the visitors from the Vanarama National League side through to the last 16.

Liam Watson’s side had held their own during the opening stages but as soon as Dallas put the Moors in front just after the half-hour, there was only likely to be one winner.

The fact that this was only Southport’s second home defeat of the season – both coming against teams from the league above – is a mark of the progress made by Watson’s young squad, who will hopefully use this as a learning curve in their continued development.

Solihull are just three points adrift of the play-off places in their own league and were impressive throughout, emphasising the divisional gap with some bright football and a clinical show of finishing.

The visitors were quick out of the blocks, Callum Maycock placing an angled shot wide before Joe Sbarra’s low effort trickled just past the far post after tidy approach work.

Jack Bainbridge sent a first-time effort wide for the Port from a Charlie Munro corner but as Solihull took control, the hosts struggled for a creative spark.

The visitors took the lead on 31 minutes, Dallas turning well inside the area before dispatching a fierce drive inside the near post after Sbarra combined with Alex Gudger.

Solihull then proceeded to dominate and Dallas added his second goal three minutes after the break, adjusting well to fire the ball past Tony McMillan after receiving the loose ball from a Danny Newton cross.

The Solihull striker completed his hat-trick on 64 minutes as he headed home a right-wing cross from Harry Boyes.

Substitute Isaac Buckley-Ricketts had a shot saved by Ryan Boot and Jordan Archer saw a goal disallowed while Ryan Bennett also thumped a post for the visitors late on.

Southport: McMillan, Oliver, J Doyle, Anson, Tharme, Munro (Benjamin 81), Archer, Vassallo, Watson (Woods 44), Bainbridge, Edwards (Buckley-Ricketts 66).
Sub not used: Mason.

Solihull Moors: Boot, Clarke, Gudger, Sbarra (Barnett 70), Maycock, Osborne, Boyes (Cranston 70), Ball, Dallas (Hudlin 76), Newton, Maynard.
Subs not used: Rooney, McNally, Myatt.

Attendance: 941

Referee: Lewis Smith