This result signalled the Sandgrounders intent
this season in Nationwide North.
The
Port shot down the Boro's unbeaten six match record looking
a class above their Midland promotion rivals.
Terry
Fearns clinched the maximum points with an excellent 48th
minute finish, the Sandgrounders should have returned
down the M6 with more goals in their locker.
Nuneaton
were always chasing the mobile, snapping all gold Port
players who stamped their authority from the onset.
Now
not all sides are as good as Nuneaton so consistency on
a par with this will set the town of Southport alight.
Nuneaton
were happy to get in at half time still level having been
given a real drubbing and only level thanks to 'Boro's
man of the match Darren Acton's agility, reflexes and
interventions.
Jerome
Fitzgerald with a rising 8th minute drive provided Acton
with a stinging shot that proved too hot to handle first
time.
Kevin
Leadbetter two minutes later unleashed another fierce
drive that Acton turned around his left hand post.
Fearns
was just wide in the 19th minute shooting inches wide
of the left hand post after a great cross field Kevin
Lead-better release.
Southport
were flowing with Neil Robinson getting under a 25th minute
Carl Baker right wing corner, heading over.
Baker
2 minutes later headed at Acton. Fearns had a great chance
on 29 minutes when skipper Chris Price put through a central
ball that Fearns raced onto.
But
after doing all the hard work Fearns sliced well wide
to the right with just Acton to beat.
The
only time Southport looked vulnerable was when Steve Dickinson
came out too far, hypnotised moth like to a hanging high
ball from Stuart Wilson on the right.
Avun
Jephcott spurned the opportunity heading wide of the right
hand post with Dickinson uncomfortably marooned 15 yards
out.
Fearns
was unlucky to be pulled back by the assistants flag five
minutes before the interval when he appeared to have timed
his run to perfection the flag being more waved in assumption
than accuracy. There was no rescue three minutes into
the second half for the 'Boro when they again looked for
a flagged reprieve.
Neil
Robinson burst down the right flank before drilling in
a low menacing centre.
The
incoming Kevin Lynch got onto the end of the centre, half
controlling as he shaped to shoot before electing to lay
off astutely with a clever back heeled flick that fed
goal poacher Fearns.
With
cool assurance Fearns placed a low shot across Acton for
the winner.
On
the hour Fearns was foiled by Acton in a one on one situation
created by Kevin Leadbetter, two minutes later Fearns
flashed a shot wide from a tight angle on the left after
good play from Chris Price.
On
90 minutes Nuneaton had a free kick on the right edge
of the penalty area. Skirmishing in the box before the
dead ball was taken resulted in Steve Farmer being floored.
The
home side remonstrated as Farmer received treatment, neither
referee Stein nor his assistant spotted any misdemeanour,
and amazingly the referee allowed the free kick to be
retaken even though the free kick had been taken after
Farmer went down.
The
final seconds proved to be sparky but the three points
came home to Haig Avenue. Now the task is to maintain
this superb form for the home fans.
Man
of the match was Neil Robinson
Southport:
Dickinson, Pickford, Fitzgerald, Kilbane, Fitzhenry,
Lynch, Baker(sub J Williams 81) Price, Fearns (sub Mulvaney
83) Robinson (sub Daly 86) Leadbetter, Subs not used:
Lowe, Davis.
Nuneaton
Borough: Acton ,Tullin, Love, Collins (sub S
Williams) Moore, Farmer, Wilson, Fitzpatrick, Whittaker(sub
Noon 67) Frew, Jephcott. Subs not used: Poole, Oddy, Newbold.
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