Southport beat Morecambe 2-1 at Haig Avenue

Southport beat Morecambe 2-1 at Haig Avenue on Tuesday, September 8, for a much-needed win after three straight defeats, with caretaker manager Mark Duffy in charge.

Morecambe arrived in Southport after three consecutive victories, but the Sandgrounders looked a different side from the team beaten 2-0 at Spalding United on Saturday.

As the saying goes, “Football is a funny game” – and Southport proved it. Adam Moseley opened the scoring after 25 minutes, reacting quickest in a crowded penalty area after a corner.

Morecambe applied sustained pressure after the break, but Southport defended well and debutant goalkeeper Douglass Lukjanciks made several confident interventions. The visitors also missed a number of chances as Southport looked set to hold on.

Morecambe finally equalised in the 81st minute when Elliot Newby finished off the pressure. However, the visitors were level for only three minutes before Southport restored their lead.

Substitute Daniel Ogwuru headed home in the 84th minute, sparking another celebration at Haig Avenue. Morecambe pushed for a second equaliser, but Southport’s defence stood firm through six minutes of added time.

The result was Southport’s first league win over Morecambe since January 2001. It was also the first league meeting between the clubs since January 2007, when Morecambe went on to win promotion to the Football League.

The attendance was 2,003. Luke Griffiths was named the Volare-sponsored Man of the Match and received the Adam Le Roi Trophy, although the award could have gone to any of the 15 Southport players involved.

Southport: Lukjanciks, Pike (Solomon 90+2), Dwyer, Lavelle, Jameson, Davies, Lloyd (R Griffiths 60), L Griffiths, Slew, Williams (McKenzie 72), Moseley (Ogwuru 78).

Unused substitutes: Honor, Edwards, Orisakwe.