Southport 1-4 York City (16/08/05)

[Match Reports]

_________________ Southport 1-4 York City
_____________________Daly 6________O'Neill 3, 37, 81
_________________________________Convery 19

________________________


City secured their most spectacular away win for years as they cruised to a 4-1 win against Conference new-boys Southport. The visitors produced a confident performance, with the attacking flair of the three - pronged attack of O'Neill, Mansaram and Donaldson causing trouble for the shaky home side's defence.

City wasted little time in racing to an early lead, with O'Neill claiming the first of his hat trick. Dunning's free kick was flicked across goal by on loan stopper David McGurk, and O'Neill from close range nodded in after just 3 minutes. However, all the good work appeared to be wasted just minutes later, when Southport scored off a direct long punt forward, which somehow found it's way through to former Harrogate Town goal poacher Davy who skipped past Jamie Price to score into the bottom corner. In the city goal porter should have perhaps done rather better.

20 minutes in, City restored their lead. Mansaram crossed from the left, and the ball landed perfectly for Convery to send it sweetly into the bottom corner.

Southport attempted to pressurise the City goal and committed men forward in search of an equaliser before half time, but this at best led to a couple of efforts from the left side of the penalty area, the closest of these hitting the side netting.

Committing men forward often leads to teams being vulnerable on the counter, and again this was proven the case as the pacy Donaldson sprinted past a couple of Southport players down the right and sent an inch perfect cross just right for O'Neill to score his second goal of the game with an excellent header into the corner.

City could have had more goals in the first half, the front three all causing chaos in the home defences. Home keeper Dickinson made a couple of fine saves to keep the score down to 3-1 at half time.

The second half was a little less action packed than the first, with City soaking up Southport pressure. However, at times City's keeper porter seemed very fragile, his handling of crosses and high balls caused plenty of worry for the packed away end. One incident seemed certain to end with a Southport goal, as a misdirected punch seemed to be trickling in before McGurk brilliantly saved his keeper by clearing it off the line.

City were very lucky that they were not down to 10 men, with Mansaram's push on Southport's right back being punished with just a yellow card. This led to a substitution, with Andy Bishop making a welcome entrance onto the pitch after somewhat surprisingly being left out of the starting 11. And it was Bishop who created the fourth goal, a good run down the right flank and a great low cross into the box which caused all sorts of trouble. The ball landed at the feet of O'Neill who rounded the Southport keeper Dickinson and scored left footed to complete his hat trick.

There was some controversy about the exact scorer of the fourth goal - video evidence appears to suggest it may have been Donaldson who actually just got there before O'Neill, however the goal has officially been credited to O'Neill.

Player Ratings

Chris PORTER 5:
I'm really not convinced. He really needs to sort out his handling. I feel it is time to restore Stockdale to the first team once more.

Jamie PRICE 6:
Skinned a couple of times by their left sided midfielder, and too easily beaten for the Southport goal. Otherwise had a pretty steady game.

Nathan PEAT 6.5:
He sometimes appears the weak link in our defence, but his distribution was much improved from Saturday and he got forward well in the first half.

David McGURK 7:
Typically sound performance from the loanee. Dominant in the air and made a couple of timely clearances such as the one off the line in the second half.

Mark HOTTE 7:
Assured display from the one time Scarborough player.

Mark CONVERY 8: (Sub'ed 90min)
Busy, got forward well and a great finish for City's second.

Emmanuel PANTHER 6.5:
Did a solid enough job as the midfield ballwinner.

Darren DUNNING 7:
Set piece delivery was far superior to that of Saturday. His constant hustling of the Southport midfield never let them get a grip on the match in the second half.

Clayton DONALDSON 8.5:
Frightened the Southport defence with his pace and ability to run with the ball. Deserved a goal, and probably got one although it was officially O'Neill's.

Joe O’NEILL 9 MoTM: (Sub'ed 83mins)
You can't ask for much more from a striker than to score three goals. Other than that, his general play was good too, with some neat touches and work at holding the ball up.

Darran MANSARAM 6.5: (Sub'ed 54mins)
Looked at times a little out of place on the left side of the front three. Should have been sent off, but also unlucky that he didn't score with an excellent 16 yard effort which Dickinson tipped over.

Substitutes

Andy BISHOP 7.5: (On 54mins)
Looks slowly to be getting back to full fitness. Willing to take on the Southport defence and created the fourth goal with a great run.

Bryan STEWART N/A: (On 83mins)
Not enough time given to make an impact.

David MERRIS N/A: (On 90mins)
Stoppage time substitute.

Un-Used: Farhad Afandiyev, Ryan Mallon.

The Referee

S CUMMINS 7: (Runcorn)
Played it sendibly with the Mansaram incident in an attempt to calm tempers, although by the letter of the law it could easily have been a red card. Otherwise a pretty sound match.

Overall Verdict & Stats

City acquitted themselves superbly to boost morale and give fans confidence that this season has the potential to be a better one than last time. Defensively and especially in the goalkeeping department their is room for improvement, but up front City's front three look very useful. And, with Bishop still to return to the side, there could be a promising season ahead.

Booked : Peat (41), Mansaram (53)
Stats: Shots 9, On-Target 7, Off-Target 2, Fouls 14, Corners 1

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