FA Youth Cup – Qualifying

It was a tough evening for Southport’s young Academy side as they fell to a heavy 7-0 defeat at home to Stockport Town in the FA Youth Cup at Haig Avenue.

The visitors struck inside the opening minute, rifling in a free-kick from just outside the area to set the tone. Worse followed almost immediately, with Stockport adding a second within five minutes to leave the Sandgrounders chasing the game. Despite efforts to settle, it was always going to be an uphill battle, and by half-time the deficit had stretched to four.

Manager Harry Cannon-Noren, himself a former Southport youth player who endured a heavy defeat to Altrincham in 2016, knew only too well how his young charges must have felt under the lights.

Stockport were rarely troubled and looked a disciplined, well-organised side full of potential. The second half brought little respite as the visitors added three more goals to round off a convincing win and a night to forget for Southport.