SOUTHPORT 4, NEWPORT COUNTY 2.

With two defences so jittery it was surprising that the goal tally was not doubled. As it was three of the six were gifts, and in some respects Newport was unfortunate to return home pointless.

The smallest crowd of the season, 2,830, saw the goal feast start in the eighth minute, when Latham, a dangerous outside left, swung over a centre and inside right Peat dived to head a brilliant goal.

Southport scored a second in the 14th minute. Newport tried to employ an offside trap, but it was beaten by a quick pass out to Dagger on the right wing, and he centred for Russell, the former Everton junior, to head through in fine style.

MISKICKED

Hopes of a runaway Southport win were dashed as, two minutes later, Newport were on level terms. In the 15th minute a centre from the left was miskicked by Wallace, and the ball went to the feet of Bonson who easily netted. This was gift number one. A minute later left half Hill linked up with his attack and centred for Hunt to rise above everyone else and head into the net.

Southport’s lead was restored in the 54th minute when Rathbone, the Newport centre half, handled a Latham centre, and Dagger scored his first League goal for Southport from the penalty. Gift number two. The third gift came in the 70th minute when the hard-working Spence — he had two goals disallowed for offside — centred from the left.

LOST CONTROL

Russell, who was in a good position, failed to gain control and allowed the ball to run away from him, but Bird, in attempting to clear, put the ball back to the feet of Russell and this time Southport’s inside left made no mistake.

Southport’s attack was lively enough, but the defence was not as steady as in recent games, although Darwell, at centre half, did not put a foot wrong.

Harris, recalled at the last minute in goal, made one or two fine saves, but also gave a number of anxious moments by dropping the ball.

SOUTHPORT—Harris; Cairns, Ruther; Wallace, Darwell, Spence, Peat, Russell, Latham, Dagger.

NEWPORT COUNTY—Weare; Bird, Walters; Williams, Rathbone, Hill; Kean, Webster, Bonson, Hunt, Smith.

Referee—Mr. W. J. Downey (Jarrow).

There was a hectic start to Southport’s home game with Newport County. Southport had a goal disallowed in the first minute, and then came four goals, two to each side in an eight-minute spell.It was Spence who got the ball into the net for Southport after a good run by Peat, only to have the point disallowed. Southport were the more lively side and they did take the lead in the eighth minute.

The home side were awarded a free kick which was only partially cleared and the ball went out to Latham on the left. The winger raced past the full back and then pulled back a centre for PEAT to dive and head a brilliant goal.

Newport hit back and forced a corner but Southport went further ahead in the fourteenth minute. Spence led a raid on the right which was again partially cleared and with Newport trying to adopt an offside trap, Dagger was sent down the right wing and he centred for RUSSELL, the former Everton player, to head through in fine style.

MISKICKED

A minute later Newport reduced the arrears. When the ball came over from the left Wallace miskicked, slicing the ball to the feet of BONSON who easily beat Harris for his thirteenth goal of the season. Then in the 16th minute Newport drew level. Left half Hill went down the wing, and centred for HUNT to head through for his 13th goal of the season.

After this spate of three goals in as many minutes, the game settled down to an evenly-contested affair.

MISSED CHANCES

The respective defences were now rather shaky after their early battering, but Newport’s big and strong defenders stood on no ceremony.

Southport should have taken the lead when Spence, with a neat overhead kick, sent Peat away, but when the inside right centred to Russell he took too long to get in a shot and he was bundled off the ball. When Newport attacked, Hunt missed two glorious chances of adding to his goal tally, while Harris made good saves from Benson and then Hunt.

It was a game full of interest and Newport had a close call when Spence again worked out to the right and centred for Peat to connect with his head. The header had the goalkeeper beaten but it hit a defender on the legs and bounced clear. Towards the interval Southport had slightly more of the attacking play, and Spence again got the ball into the net only to be ruled offside.

Half-time:—Southport 2, Newport County 2.

In the 54th minute Southport took the lead, Latham centred from the left and Rathbone, the Newport centre half, swept the ball away with his hands. The referee awarded a penalty after consulting a linesman, and DAGGER made no mistake from the spot for his first League goal for Southport.

Newport hit back strongly and Webster missed one good chance when, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he fired wide.

Russell scored for Southport after 70 minutes.

Final. — SOUTHPORT 4, NEWPORT 2.