Mariners Sunk By Sandgrounders In Friendly.

Marine suffered defeat at the hands of National League side Southport in their first pre-season game at the newly-named Marine Travel Arena.

On a warm evening and an immaculate playing surface both sides looked to their passing game, however the visitors looked a yard sharper throughout a first half they dominated, having played their opening game of pre-season at Bootle last weekend. Southport almost took the lead after six minutes as a low ball played into the box from the right fell to Jamie Allen, however his right-footed effort flew narrowly wide of Matt Cooper's right-hand post. The home side responded as Tom Owens slipped the ball through to Chad Whyte, whose return pass was blazed high and wide by Owens from 12 yards out. The visitors came close moments later, as a jinking run into the box from the left was foiled only by an excellent James Short challenge.

At the other end Rob Gilroy tried his luck for the Mariners from long range, but his effort sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. Chances were now coming thick and fast as another last-ditch challenge from Short denied the visitors, swiftly followed by a fabulous one-handed parry from Cooper to deny Louis Almond. From the subsequent corner Wright rose highest for the Sandgrounders but the ball skimmed off his head and Marine countered. Karl Clair broke free down the right before squaring to the unmarked Chad Whyte, however the striker delayed his effort and the visitors recovered to clear.

The home side were punished on 37 minutes as another dangerous ball in from the right was controlled well by Allen who finished with precision inside the far post to give Southport a deserved lead.

Half-time saw the usual raft of substitutions on both sides, with the likes of Nicholas, Hessey, Menagh, plus Dean Astbury returning for the Mariners. The second half was more evenly contested than the first, although Marine's substitute 'keeper Vaughn Charles was forced to make two smart saves to deny the visitors. For the Mariners a neat interchange in midfield almost saw Astbury in on goal, but with the ball running away from him the former Skem striker could only direct his cross into the hands of the visiting 'keeper.

The Sandgrounders somewhat fortunately doubled their advantage on 79 minutes, as a cross played in from the right clipped Andy Nicholas before looping over the stranded Charles. The third goal came three minutes from time following a mazy run from Southport's left-back who was deemed to have been tripped just inside the area. Richard Brodie stepped up and planted the spot-kick beyond the despairing dive of Charles to seal victory for the men in purple.

Marine starting XI: Matt Cooper, Danny Hennigan, James Short, Liam Willis, Junior Conte, Luke Butterworth, Tom Owens, Karl Clair, Chad Whyte, Lloyd Ellams, Rob Gilroy.

Southport starting XI: Andy Coughlin, Matty Challinor, Will Beesley, Luke Foster, Andy Wright, Jamie Allen, A Trialist, Louis Almond, Paul Rutherford, A Trialist, A Trialist.

Referee: Mr Aaron Jackson
Assistants: Mr Alan Butler and Mr Neil Larsen.

Attendance: 342