Match Report: Marine 0-2 Southport

Tom Clarke reports as Sandgrounders succeed at the MTA...

Marine's third pre-season friendly ended in a 2-0 defeat at home to Southport, the goals coming from Ryan Astles and Dion Charles.

The Mariners were quick out of the blocks in the first minute, with chances falling for Brett Mbalanda and Niall Cummins, but the home side's willingness to get forward was punished as Southport converted from a corner following a counter attack, Astles heading in from close range.

There were first-half chances for both sides as they strived to get the crucial second goal of the game, with efforts from Kieran Holsgrove and another for the lively Mbalanda for the home side and several from Devarn Green for the visitors.

It was Southport who grabbed that second goal, Dion Charles lashing in from close range five minutes after the restart.

Several trialists entered the fray for the home side but despite efforts from Steve Irwin and substitute James Ellison, it wasn't to be.

It's another quick turnaround for Marine as they face Morecambe in another pre-season friendly at the MTA at 7.30pm on Thursday evening.

Marine: Trialist (Ryan Crump, 45); Joshua Solomon-Davies (Trialist, 87), Trialist (James Ellison, 45), Kenny Strickland, Trialist; Trialist (Ethan Devine, 45), Kieran Holsgrove (Trialist, 52), Steve Irwin (Trialist, 80), James Barrigan (Trialist, 52); Niall Cummins (Trialist, 67), Brett Mbalanda (Rumenio Barai, 80).
Unused subs: None.

Southport: Dan Hanford; Reagan Ogle, Jack Doyle, Dean Winnard (Bradley Baurress, 65), Ryan Astles; Andrew Parry, Devarn Green, Patrick Lacey (Kieran Glynn, 65), Raul Correria; Dion Charles (Connor Woods, 65), Morgan Homson-Smith (Zehn Mohammad, 65).
Unused subs: None.

Attendance: 291.
Referees: Mr. Luis Griffiths. Assistant referees: Mr. Jack Deakin, Mr. Jacob Viera.