David Morgan completed a second-half hat-trick as Southport saw off Leamington 4-1 to climb to third in National League North.
A fast start from the hosts put them in ascendency straight away, with Bradley Bauress doubling the home side’s advantage after Morgan’s first-minute strike. However, Leamington got themselves back into the contest with an early second-half penalty before a Morgan masterclass in the final stages put the game to bed.
Liam Watson’s side came into the game off the back of an excellent run of form, which has propelled them into the National League North playoffs.
Last weekend, Horsfall Stadium survived the constant downpour as Southport blew away Bradford Park Avenue, leaving West Yorkshire with a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
Unlike their opposition, Leamington have been quite the opposite. Only gaining one point from their last five league games, the Brakes have fallen to 17th in the league standings. However, at this point, relegation isn’t such a worry, with six points separating them from the drop zone at the start of play.
Such as the table showed, the difference in class between these two sides came apparent straight away, as Southport went ahead. With the game not even a minute old, the home side charged up the field, where Devarn Green was able to lay off Morgan, who volleyed the ball home.
We did not have to wait too long until the home side doubled their advantage. Bauress tapping home the club’s 2500th Non-League goal, as he reacted the fastest to Marcus Wood’s low drive, where the midfielder was able to slot the rebound past Weaver to give Southport some breathing space.
As the half went on, the away side gradually started to get a foothold in the game. However, it was to no avail, Southport proving too strong in both defence and attack as the first-half came to a close.
Whatever Paul Holleran said in that away side dressing room at half-time was obviously still ringing in Leamington ears, as they came out of the traps firing. Ryan Astles bringing down Josh March in the area, where the latter was able to step up and brush his spot-kick past Albinson to cut Southport’s lead down to one.
However, Port didn’t let that early second-half strike rattle them and picked up where they left off. The Leamington defence struggling to keep tabs of Morgan, as the midfielder carved out two more opportunities to double his tally.
But after being denied his second for so long, Morgan scored a brace in the final five minutes to complete his hat-trick. Firstly, sliding the ball in off the post after Connor Woods’ pin-point cross before scoring an added-time penalty to complete Southport’s fourth consecutive win.
