On This Day: January 26th

Record Home Attendance

The early thirties saw Southport establish themselves as cup specialists. Having disposed of Barnsley in the third round of the FA Cup in 1931, they were drawn away to Newcastle United on 23rd January. A very creditable 1-1 draw at St James’ Park brought the Tynesiders back to Haig Avenue for a replay.

Speaking before the first game Bert Pelham said “We are anxious to get into the match. We will give Newcastle a fight”, and that they did!

“No one seemed to find any hope for Southport. They were just going to enjoy a match at home and then sink their cup concern. Which was all wrong, as they can be very illuminating in this eliminating process” commented the Liverpool Echo.

Played in brilliant January sunshine, the result was a repeat of the first attempt, even the goalscorers were the same. However the game would go down in history as it set the all time home attendance record, 20,010. Amongst them was even the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Alderman J.C. Cross

The game itself proved to be quite dramatic. After winning the toss, seeking whatever advantage they could find, the Sandgrounders asked their visitors to play into the low sun at kick off. Newcastle however took the lead when Boyd beat the offside trap on 17 minutes.

Liverpool Echo”What is the secret of this mystic Southport power? They were outplayed, outrun, outgeneralled, and broken in belief if not in spirit for the space of 45 minutes. One could not visualise them even fighting back, or even having a chance. Yet Southport got into one of those rousing cycles by which they become a team possessed. In such moods youcan not stop Southport. They become a force. “

As the game wore on the contest began to even out with chances falling to both sides, but with the Sandgrounders on the verge of creditable defeat, six minutes from time Cowen latched onto a headed pass by Dobson. Newcastle goalkeeper McInroy got a hand to the ball but failed to make the save.

Southport nearly stole the tie in the final minute when Waterston set up Allen for a lobbed header. McInroy redemmed his earlier blunder by tipping the ball over the bar to take the game into extra-time.

Whilst Port had the upper hand heading into extra time the game remained tied to set up a second replay at Sheffield Wednesday.

The Liverpool Echo commented “Newcastle United are still in the Cup by kind permission of the Southport Football Club, who are now renowned as men fit to race for a Grand National, so great is their staying power”

SOUTHPORT 1 – 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED

Stadium: Haig Avenue
Competition: FA Cup / 4R
Date: 26/01/1932
Attendance: 20010

Southport Line-Up: Jack Little, Jimmy Cowen, Tommy Bell, Ralph Hills, Jack Seagrave, Tommy Holmes, Ernie Vincent, Archie Waterston, Matt Middleton, George Dobson, Ted Robinson,
Goals: Jimmy Cowen,