Southport fans will go home satisfied they got their money worth as goals from Devarn Green, Zehn Mohhamed and David Morgan put them up to sixth with a 3-2 victory over Hereford.
Nothing is ever done the easy way with Southport. The game was only 10 minutes old when Mohhamed tapped home the opening goal. However, that seems a long-long time ago as penalties, disallowed goals and yellow cards gave a very exciting contest.
The Bulls entered into the game in fantastic league form, having emphatically won their last three games. However, fresh after his celebration his 500th game for Southport, Liam Watson and his side have been in convincing form of their own, picking up nine points out of their last five league games.
After a poor performance at the weekend – which saw Southport side being put out of the FA Cup – Watson will have been looking for a quick response and nearly got it as Ryan Astles headed over from close range.
After an early spell of positive pressure, Southport took a deserved lead. A nice one-two saw Ogle create some space on the right, his cross made its way through a sea of bodies to Mohhamed, who able to tap the ball home.
Just minutes later, it was nearly two. Astles again rising highest to meet Bradley Bauress’ corner, but his header was easy for Brandon Hall in the Hereford goal.
As the first-half wore on, it was the home side who looked more likely to extend their one-goal advantage. Bauress this time nearly catching the Hereford keeper off guard, after his cross-come-shot looped over.
As the opening period went on, Hereford looked more and more threatening. Just minutes before half-time, they nearly got the equaliser their persistent pressure deserved. Stephen Dawson finding some space in the area, firing his shot into the bottom left-hand corner.
Fortunately for Southport, after much deliberation, the referee adjudged there was a hand in the build-up as the goal was disallowed.
Nevertheless, their fate had been delayed for long enough as Hereford finally drew level. After a mix up in the box, a Hereford player was brought down with Reece Styche making no mistake from the spot brushing the ball into the bottom right-hand corner just seconds before the interval.
That goal just before the break didn’t seem to rattle the home side. Benjamin Russell’s low drive deflected wide before Mohhamed nearly doubled his quota, as his header looped over the bar.
As the game entered the 60-minute mark, Southport were knocking on the Hereford door. Bauress with another inch-perfect delivery, Jack Sampson rose highest but he could only see his header drift wide.
Southport were looking strong, however, it was Hereford who should have been ahead in the 64th minute. Albinson making a rash challenge as Michael Barlow pointed to the spot for the second time in the game. However, the Port keeper made up for his atoned error, picking himself back up to make a wonderful save to his right-hand side.
Southport soon cashed in that lifeline as a David Morgan thunderbolt gave the home side the lead. After a great passage of play, the ball was worked to Morgan on the edge of the box, his skill and awareness opened up some space, as he curled his effort past a hapless Hall.
There is nothing like a confidence boost. With just nine minutes left, Devarn Green seemed to put the game to bed. Pace, skill and accuracy, the recipe for Southport’s third. The home side worked it well over to the right, where the substitute was able to glide through the Hereford defence as his right-footed shot nestled into the top right corner.
When Kelsey Mooney got the away side within one, squeaky bum time ensued. But when the referee finally called it time, it was relief more than anything, as the perfect response to an FA cup exit was complete.
