Marine 1 Southport 1

FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, Saturday 27th October 2001

It was honours even at Rossett Park today as Unibond League side Marine denied their neighbours Southport a passage through to the first round proper of the FA Cup.

It was a cracking cup-tie played out by two teams with differing points to prove. Southport were looking to halt a run of form that has prompted some quite discontent amongst supporters, unhappy at the perceived direction with which the club is going. The Marine side contained numerous players who had played for Southport and no doubt they wanted to give a good account of themselves in front of their former team.

In front of Marine’s best attendance of the season with over 1300 in attendance, swelled by the travelling support of Southport who had made the relatively short trip down the coast. Southport kicked off attacking the College Road end and looked fairly purposeful, belying the form that had seen them score only once in six games.

It was not long before Southport made their pressure count when five minutes into the game they took the lead. Southport keeper Steve Dickinson launched a long hopeful ball into the box. Steve Jones prevented the ball from going out and pulled the ball back to wing back Chris Lane who stole in unmarked on the six yard box unmarked to make it one nil to Southport.

Four minutes later Southport almost doubled their lead when James Connolly rose unchallenged to head the ball wide following Gary Bauress’ cross. Marine were under the cosh a little in the first quarter of the game seemingly unable to step out and get possession of the ball. When they did they used the ball effectively. Marine centre half Steve Rimmer brought the ball out from the back. His through ball found Kevin Formby who laid the ball off to Michael Douglas who fired his shot, straight at Southport keeper Dickinson.

Having been on the back foot for the early part of the game, Marine were now enjoying a greater share of the game and almost levelled the score when Jon Gautrey headed the ball over the bar from Kevin Formby’s cross.

The deserved equaliser finally came 21 minutes into the game. Anton Lally’s worked a quick corner to Formby, who delivered a precision cross to Richie Townsend to head home the equaliser. Townsend almost doubled his contribution to the game five minutes later but the ball did not run kindly for him.

Ten minutes before half time, the impressive Kevin Formby was again at the heart of the action. His deep searching cross was flicked on by Townsend to Eddie Hussin but he could only manage to head the ball over the bar.

On 38 minutes, Marines plans took a dent when midfielder Anton Lally went off with an injury and had to be replaced by Stuart Gelling.

With five minutes to go to half time, Southport could have restored their lead. Lee Elam showed his usual trickery down the flanks. He delivered a cross that had goal written all over it but for the timely intervention from Jon Gautrey off the head of Gary Bauress.

The second half followed a similar pattern to that of the first with Southport starting the brighter. A minute after the restart Marine keeper Chris Clarke brilliantly denied Simon Parke, with a point blank one handed save.

After this early scare Marine again stepped up the pressure. John Morgan beat the offside trap; unfortunately he could only fire his shot in to the side netting. Another chance fell to Mike Douglas who fired his long-range shot over the bar. Marine were enjoying the greater possession and the resolute Southport back line stood firm, and allowed Marine long-range speculative efforts.

Sixty-four minutes into the game, Marine full back Gary Randles won possession of the ball in midfield and fired a long-range effort that Southport keeper Dickinson was more than equal to. From the resulting corner Kevin Formby’s perfectly flighted corner found Morgan unmarked but he headed over on this occasion. Four minutes later another chance went begging for Marine, when Gautrey headed over the bar following more good work by Kevin Formby.

Southport enjoyed a brief respite from the constant Marine pressure with Kevin Leadbetter and Steve Jones going close for the visitors. With three minutes of normal time remaining Southport almost snatched the game from Marine. Southport full back Chris Lane got forward and delivered a cross to Simon Parke who could only head the ball over the bar. Two minutes later Marine’s Steve Rimmer brilliantly denied Parke the simplest of tap ins, following good work down the left by substitute Stuart Whittaker and Lee Elam.

In the end a fair result both sides had enough chances to win the game but they must do it all again on Tuesday night at Haigh Avenue to determine who will play Basingstoke or Dagenham & Redbridge in the next round.


ATT – 1307

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