Southport Hesketh beat Slyne

3 points, 3 Goals & a clean sheet, what more could you ask for?

Southport Hesketh welcomed Slyne With Hest to Bankfield for their 2nd home game in 5 days. After beating Blackpool Wren Rovers on Tuesday night, Southport Hesketh needed to beat Slyne to make Tuesday’s win a lot sweeter.
With a large group of players to choose from compared to Tuesday night, it was a good headache to have for management staff Den Hill & Tom Bates.
Liam Boden started for the first time this season with Den & Tom taking precautionary measures over Liam Buckley’s Head injury on Tuesday night vs Blackpool.
A back 4 of Joe Tierney, Andrew Dawber, Craig Massam & Jimmy Green guarding the midfield 3 of Luke Smith, David Brooks & Simon Hill, with the front 3 of Conor Wright, Jack Ledson and Jordan Gregg making up the starting 11.
Brad Shearwood returned to the bench after a holiday along with Max Sansum. Lewis Harwood, Paul Garrett, Peter Moretti, Ste Cooke & Tudor where joined on the bench with new signing Joe Sturgeon and the returning Jordan Turner.
The previous meetings between the 2 aides were always entertaining with plenty of goals and Slyne are always difficult opposition.
Southport started brightly, with good possession of the ball which was good to see, something worked on in training on Thursday night. Twice Jordan Gregg got in behind and saw a shot saved and a square ball across goal avail the rest of the attack. It wasn’t long before the ball was in the net though. A pass from the back was with Liam Boden who cleared almost the length of the pitch for Conor Wright to take the ball on his chest and steam through to smash past the Slyne keeper with just 11 minutes played and put Southport 1-0 up.
Again Jordan Gregg & Conor Wright worked tirelessly upfront to keep the Slyne back 4 under pressure, but the next clear cut chance fell to Slyne who seen an effort hit the crossbar. The second goal came on 19 minutes as an in swinging corner from Simon Hill was met by Jack Ledson who rose highest to bullet home a header from 7 yards into the top corner. Again, a great celebration to follow from Jack Ledson, who loves scoring goals. 2-0 up and cruising. Southport were then able to manage the game going into the half. Slyne looked for the 3 big lads up top, however Craig Massam was a colossus at the back and kept the Slyne chances to a minimum. Joe Tierney and Jimmy Green worked hard up and down the flanks to provide width to the play too. Going in towards half time, Southport became a little sloppy and began to give away needless free kicks which invited pressure, and chances for Slyne to send the big men forward. Slyne May have considered themselves unfortunate to have a goal before half time. Half time was 2-0 to the home side.
The second half started very sloppy for the Home team and Slyne were the team on top and whom looked most likely to get a goal. Once again, the woodwork was rattled as a great effort from a Slyne midfielder crashed against the post and luckily for the home side, nobody was there to follow up.
Southport never had many chances second half and it was more a midfield battle which Luke Smith, David Brooks & Si Hill were in control of, all worked tirelessly. Jack Ledson was replaced by Jordan Turner who looked lively again and got himself involved into the action. Joe Sturgeon was then introduced for a debut in place of Luke Smith who had ran himself into the ground. Then Southport found themselves 3-0 up. Into the 75th minute, a deep cross from Joe Tierney was dropped by the Slyne Keeper and fell kindly to Simon Hill who was able to smash Home into the net. Ste Cooke then entered the game for Conor Wright. Ste Cooke & Jordan Turner didn’t look out of place either as both pressed Slyne into mistakes with Jordan Gregg, but also kept the ball well when the home side had possession and the game management of the home side was done well. Full time 3-0.
Southport Hesketh’s Management agreed that “it was fantastic to see the lads manage a game the right way. Still getting ourselves into positions to always create chances and it was great to keep a clean sheet too. The attitude and performance of the lads was spot on, taking Thursdays training session into the game today was also refreshing to see. With a strong range of choices to chose from there were so many positives today, despite a sloppy second half start.”

The strength in depth of the squad is something we haven’t had in years. It’s great to have so many quality options on the bench and still with more lads not present today too. The squad will be needed over the bank holiday weekend with 2 games in 3 days as well as cup competitions approaching, it’s a marathon not a sprint, and all lads will be crucial this season.

Goalscorers today: Conor Wright, Jack Ledson & Simon Hill.

Man of the match: Craig Massam, who won everything at the back.

Our next game is a long journey to Vickerstown. With a big 30+ seater coach & a few of the supporters looking to board the coach, we are hoping for another 3 points to enjoy the journey home! The coach will leave Starbucks in Ormskirk at the roundabout by the motorway at 11am.

On to the next one...

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