Southport 1 Kingstonian 2

Saturday 9th December 2000, FA Cup Second Round

First half goals from Mark Harris and the impressive Geoff Pitcher saw Kingstonian through to the third round of the FA cup for only the first time in their history.

In an all Nationwide conference clash Southport unbeaten in their last ten games and currently second in the table, took on Kingstonian currently residing in the bottom three. With renowned cup campaigner Geoff Chapple in charge, this game was always going to be a different proposition for Southport. The Southport public responded to Mark Wright’s midweek call for them to get behind their team, with well over 3000 in attendance.
Southport’s best gate by some distance this season.

Kingstonian gained an early advantage by winning the toss, and elected to kick with the wind in the first half. This tactic nearly came to fruition in the opening minutes of the game when Sammy Winston sent over a speculative effort which nearly deceived the Southport keeper, Dickinson.

The initial exchanges were scrappy but this was to be expected in a game with so much at stake. On nine minutes, Southport’s Ian Arnold tried a long range effort from outside the box after receiving a pass from And Gouck. This brought about a concerted spell of pressure for Southport. A minute later the lively Dino Maamria was put through again by Gouck, but unfortunately for the home crowd. Maamria’s shot hit the post and bounced to safety.

Even though Southport were enjoying more of the possession in the early stages of the game. Kingstonian had chances as well, carved out by an effective counter attacking ploy which nearly paid dividends. After twelve minutes Kingstonian won a succession of corners. One of which brought the best out of the Southport keeper, when he denied a Sammy Winston header with an acrobatic tip over from Pitchers well worked corner.

The changing nature of this encounter saw Southport come close with efforts from Maamria
And ex-Liverpool player Mike Marsh. But Southport were left to rue these missed chances when Kingstonian seized the advantage. Twenty minutes into the game the referee awarded Kingtonian a free kick, just outside the box following a foul by Scott Guyett. Geoff Pitchers subsequent free-kick was charged down for a corner. From the resulting corner, Pitchers perfectly flighted cross found Mark Harris at the back post, who lept above the flailing keeper to put Kingstonian into the lead

Southport tried to get back into the game just minute later when Phil Bolland placed a header just wide from Mike Marsh’s corner kick. The end to end nature of the game showed no signs of abating when on 30 minutes Kingstonian full back Colin Luckett, tried a shot from 25 yards which sailed over the keeper and luckily for him onto the bar.

Obviously encouraged by Luckett’s shot a minute earlier. Geoff Pitcher tried his luck from similar distance. Yet this time Pitchers stunning effort found the top right of Dickinsons net, to make the score two-nil to the visitors.

All credit to Southport they tried to get back into the match straight away, and they did so soon after. On 39 minutes, great work in and around the area by Gouck and Maamria, saw Maamria unleash a shot into the top left hand corner to bring the score to two-one.

Maamria’s influence came to the fore again a minute later when he pounced on a Marsh through ball beating the Kingstonian offside trap, but on this occasion he was denied’ in what was to be Southport’s last chance of the half.

In the second half, Southport tried to use the advantage of the wind, like Kingstonian had in the first half. An early substitutuion for Southport with Whittaker replacing Furlong nearly paid dividends. Good work down the left by Whittaker played in Maamria who had his shot blocked.

Andy Gouck was lucky to stay on the field after 50 minutes. After a typically robust challenge, which saw him come off the worse. After a lengthy stoppage, the referee decided to take no further action just as well as he had been booked earlier in the game.

For all Southport’s second-half pressure, they failed to capitalise on the possession they enjoyed. At times the final ball was not forthcoming and there was a tendency to over elaborate with their passing. The second-half was a more stop start affair which suited Kingstonian more than Southport who found it difficult getting any tempo to their play as they chased the game.

Kingstonian coped resolutely with everything that Southport threw at them and only allowed the home side half chances. When the visitors did attack they were prompted by the impressive former Watford and Colchester player Geoff Pitcher, who played a part in both goals and most of their attacks.

Southport nearly found away through on 76 minutes. When Maamria kept possession well to put in Andy Whittaker who fired over the bar. Despite constant pressure from Southport, they were unable to turn this pressure into goals. When they did find a way through poor finishing or the impressive young keeper Gavin Kelly was to blame. Kelly was making his debut today for Kingstonian following a recommendation from Tottenham’s goal keeping coach Hans Segars.

With four minutes to go Southport were further denied when a goal bound effort from Mike Marsh was cleared off the line. Kingstonian nearly put the game beyond Southport when substitute Nyamah forced Southport keeper Dickinson into an error. When he put his clearance straight to the advancing striker, fortunately for Dickinson, Nyamah could not steer his shot goal wards.

With time up the fourth official indicated that a further four minutes would be added on. Southport had every chance of bringing about an equaliser, which they nearly did. Again Maamria was at the heart of the action. His pass found Ian Arnold at the post, from five yards Arnold blasted over the advancing keeper and more importantly over the bar.

After the giant killing exploits of the previous round Kingstonian live to fight another day. As Southport ponder what might have been. Kingstonian’s manager Geoff Chapple thought’s turned to the next round.

“ Although I’m a Chelsea fan, I would like an away trip to Manchester United-for the financial reward as well as the chance to play at a great stadium.”

Southport’s manager Mark Wright was gracious in defeat and was in disbelief as how Kingstonian were languishing in the bottom three of the conference. But he did bemoan his sides bad luck.

“We created five easy chances but we didn’t put them away. We missed leading scorer Simon Parke and Andy Gouck played with flu”

Attendance - 3,659

* This report previously appeared on the now defunct website Pyramid Football