A captivating match, a stunning goal, and still this fascinating battle for a place in the Blue Square North play-off final remains on a knife-edge.
The strains of Southport’s Wembley anthem of 1998 rang around Haig Avenue prior to kick-off. And just like they did in their historic FA Trophy campaign a decade ago, the Sandgrounders will take a one-goal lead into the semi-final second-leg having issued a statement of intent.
The only blemish on an exceptional Southport display was their failure to score more. That said, a breathless match could have swung either way.

A scintillating first-half performance should have seen the Sandgrounders establish a greater lead as they controlled the play and attacked with verve. At the same time, however, Stalybridge will have left Haig Avenue wondering how they failed to hit the target after producing several moments of quality that meant the game hung in the balance until the final whistle.
Southport’s fluent football was encapsulated in the construction of the game’s only goal on 36 minutes. A sweeping multi-pass move culminated in Mark Duffy feeding the ball in from the left to Liam Blakeman, who smartly switched feet before guiding a glorious finish into the top right-hand corner from the edge of the area.
It was the third goal in four games from the in-form Blakeman, who was the pick of the Southport team with an exemplary display in a roaming midfield role.
With Neil Robinson utilised as a lone striker and Ollie James drafted in to provide extra security, manager Gary Brabin adopted a similar shape to the one use at Nuneaton. Once again it had the desired effect.
The Sandgrounders’ prospects for the second-leg could be shaped by the participation of Chris Holland and Neil Prince, both of whom were forced to withdraw after falling victim the increasing number of cynical Stalybridge challenges which were poorly dealt with by referee Andy Newell.
“The lads were brilliant and they’ve given me absolutely everything,” said Brabin.
“There was some great football from the lads and we feel a bit hard done by coming away with only a 1-0 victory. It’s five wins in a row, but that’s all gone now and we have to move on.
“I just want to take every game as it comes. The lads have given me 100 per cent, they’re enjoying their football and I can’t ask for any more than that.”



Southport take a slender 1-0 lead to Bower Fold on Sunday, thanks to a cracking Liam Blakeman goal in the first half.

Southport made a blistering start, and could have been a goal up within 24 seconds, as Neil Robinson played a cracking ball over to Mark Duffy over at the back post, but his over flew narrowly over.

The game then opened into an interesting end-to-end battle, with Alex Meechan heading weakly wide, and a minute later James Dean putting a dangerous ball across the Southport area, forcing Steve Drench to deny Steve Torpey a chance at the back post. But Southport kept their heads together, playing some attractive passing football, with Neil Prince putting a ball into Chris Lever with his cross cleared only as far as Paul Barratt, who tried to place his shot, but the ball was seen well by Paddy Gamble.

Southport continued to play some attractive football, and such a move nearly led to the opening goal as Prince headed the ball through two defenders allowing Robinson the chance on goal, but as he waited for the ball to fall kindly, Gamble was able to close the shot down, with Barwick clearing the ball away for a corner. However, moments later, a mis-communication between Blakeman and Ollie James allowed Celtic to attack as Barwick sneaked the ball through to Alex Meechan, but his shot from such a tight angle was well stopped by Drench.

The opening goal came following another super move as Mark Duffy whipped the ball in from the left wing, where Liam Blakeman stepped over a challenge before firing the ball in from the edge of the area. Blakeman tried his luck again a minute later as his opportunist 30 yard power-driver forced Paddy Gamble to be alert.

Stalybridge made a great chance for themselves to pull level early in the second half as Alex Meechan got the ball out to Chris Hall out on the right wing, with his low ball into the box being back-healed narrowly wide by James Dean.

Southport lost the impetus in the midfield as Chris Holland had to be substituted following a challenge on the edge of the box, plus with Lee Ellington coming on for James Dean, the Southport defence were put under increased pressure. Torpey was allowed to move forward, with his final shot well blocked by Drench, and Chris Hall also saw his close range shot fire over after another swift move forward from the visitors. Just a few moments earlier, Robinson fired over from the 6-yard box as Neil Prince played another searching ball in from the left wing. Moments later, Prince was crudely challenged out of the game, being another doubt now for Sunday, as the referee failed to take stern action against some nasty Celtic challenging. But Southport held out, and another such performance on Sunday will surely see them through to the final next Friday.