Southport crash out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle

Southport fail to progress into the next round of the Isuzu FA Trophy after Curzon Ashton record their first ever victory against the home side in what was definitely a game of two halves.

The first half was dominated by Southport and that was on show from the off as the home side took the lead in 3rd minute after Bainbridge received the ball just inside the box and fired home a lovely strike into the top left corner leaving Renshaw unsighted.

Bainbridge nearly doubled his tally just a few minutes later if it wasn’t for an outstretched fingertip save by Renshaw but after an action packed 20 minutes only saw the 1 goal to the home side who could have been 2 or 3 up in that short period.

Southport had two golden opportunities to take double the lead but it was Curzon who levelled the game against the run of play after a corner for the home side lead to a counter being finished off by Hancock seeing the visitors’ first shot result in a goal.

The score remained level going into the break despite Bainbridge’s best efforts after a nifty piece of dribbling in the box sees him beat 3 defenders with only Renshaw to beat but the keeper managed to keep the ball out of the goal.

Southport’s first half dominance was soon forgotten about in the second half as it was Curzon who came out with a point to prove and in the 73rd minute they completed the turn-around after Walker fired a first time effort into the bottom corner.

Cam Mason seemingly kept Southport in the game after a wonderful double save gave the home side a boost only for the following effort moments later by Smailes- Braithwaite found the back of the net making it 3-1 in the 78th minute.

Despite their best efforts the game ended 1-3 in a rather disappointing game given the first half performance but now Port have to bounce back and go again on Tuesday night as Squires Gate visit Haig Ave in the second round of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy.

 
Line Ups:
 
Southport: Mason, J.Doyle (Hmami 61'), C.Doyle (C), Evans, Quansah, Carberry, Bainbridge, Munro, Watson, Walton (Heath 61'), Archer
Subs: McMillan, Oliver, Anson 
Curzon: Renshaw, Hampson, Poscha, Matthews, Dimaio, Walker, Hancock (Barton 79'), Hayhurst (Hogan 90+2'), Richards, Hobson, Mahon (C) (Smailes-Braithwaite 71')
Subs: Ollerenshaw, Edmundson
Goals
1-0 (3 min) - Jack Bainbridge
1-1 (42 min) - Josh Hancock
1-2 (73 min) - Sam Walker
1-3 (78 min) - Ben Smailes-Braithwaite
Cards
J.Doyle (33)
 
Attendance
829 (36 away)