As in their FA Cup meeting last month, Southport scored three goals to see off the challenge of Vauxhall Motors, and once again they were made to work hard for the win.
Although the Sandgrounders’ progression into the third round of the Setanta Shield rarely seemed in doubt, it was not until the latter stages that they added the gloss to a victory that was earned amid appalling weather conditions.
As a driving rain and howling wind swirled around Rivacre Park, Liam Watson’s side showed their resolve to secure a place in the next stage of the competition which will also see the introduction of the remaining teams from the Blue Square Premier.
The match had barely started when the unrelenting rain began. By then, however, the Sandgrounders had already gained a hold on the game, taking the lead in the 14th minute. John Doolan split the Vauxhall defence with a measured pass to Tony Gray, who raced to the by-line before delivering a cross that allowed Matty McGinn to convert a simple header at the far post.
Minutes later, Doolan almost helped conjure a second, releasing Steve Daly, who delivered an inviting centre into the path of Robbie Booth, only for the winger’s shot to trickle across the face of goal.
Vauxhall had threatened in the early stages when a blistering 30-yard drive from Rio Nelson flew past the post, while a Karl Noon shot was blocked by Earl Davis in a rare moment when then home side got the better of the Port defence.
Booth should have extended Southport’s lead before the interval but fired over having arrived in the box after a slick move down the left flank.
Vauxhall’s strongest spell came midway through the second-half, with Mattie Burke drawing Tony McMillan into a low save before Nelson’s free-kick was deflected wide, but the home side never looked like finding a cutting edge.
Instead, as the clock wound down, Southport made sure of their place in the next round, Tony Gray adding a second goal on 79 minutes with a crisp finish from inside the area after the Vauxhall defence had failed to deal with a long-ball from midfield.
And substitute Ciaran Kilheeney exploited more indecision in the third minute of added time, completing the easiest of finishes after goalkeeper James Coates had let Duffy’s cross slip through his grasp.



Stadium: Motassist Arena
Attendance: 163
Competition: Conference League Cup / 2
Referee: P Marsden
![]() Vauxhall Motors |
0 - 3 Full-Time |
![]() Southport |
Manager: Liam Watson | ||
Goalscorers | ||
None |
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Line-Ups
- | Tony McMillan |
- | Robbie Booth |
- | James Connolly |
- | Steve Daly ( ![]() |
- | Earl Davis |
- | John Doolan |
- | Shaun Gray |
- | Tony Gray ![]() |
- | Kevin Lee |
- | Matty McGinn ![]() ( ![]() |
- | Michael Powell |