Slew and Thibaut strike as Port extend unbeaten run to seven

Southport delivered one of their most complete performances under Neil Danns with a deserved win over a Radcliffe side that began the night in fourth place. Second half goals from Jordan Slew and Adrien Thibaut settled the game, but the foundations of the result were built on an excellent team display and a series of outstanding saves from Chris Renshaw.

The opening stages set the tone. Southport were sharper and more assertive, with Slew threatening early on against his former club. A bending effort from the edge of the area drew a strong punch from Mateusz Hewelt, who kept Radcliffe level in the first quarter of the game.

Radcliffe’s best early moment came when Rio Clegg played George Glendon through, only for Renshaw to spread himself and make the first of several crucial point-blank saves. It was a defining moment, not only because it kept the scores level but because it set the standard of Renshaw’s performance for the rest of the night.

Southport continued to carve out chances. Luke Griffiths forced Hewelt into a save from distance, and the loose ball was nudged against the post as Port pushed for the opener. The visitors responded with a break shortly before the interval, but once again Renshaw stood tall, blocking a close-range effort at the back post to ensure the sides went in goalless.

The breakthrough arrived soon after the restart. Malakai McKenzie drove forward on a two-on-two and squared for Slew, who steered a composed finish into the far corner to continue his fine run of form. It was no less than Southport deserved after starting the half with purpose and intensity.

Radcliffe pushed for a way back and created a handful of openings, but they found Renshaw in inspired form. A low strike heading for the bottom corner was tipped round the post, and later in the game he produced yet another point-blank stop to preserve the lead.

Southport’s second goal arrived eight minutes from time and came from a move that summed up the night. Port regained possession high up the pitch, Slew drove into space and delivered a low ball across the six-yard box that Thibaut turned in to make the points safe.

There was still time for Renshaw to make one final save in stoppage time, denying Anthony Dudley when the forward went clean through. It capped a commanding goalkeeping display and underlined his importance in a result that lifts Southport to eighteenth.

Sam Minihan also impressed with a composed and disciplined performance, while Slew’s influence in both goals earned him the man of the match award. For Danns, this was an authoritative display from a side growing in confidence as the unbeaten run stretches to seven.