By the end, Kevin Davies thought the margin of victory should have been wider, but there was still a ruthlessness about Southport that ensured they took another win from their second away trip in successive weekends.

Victory at North Ferriby United was secured with three goals in a ten-minute period either side of half-time – a near-identical scoring pattern to that which earned the Sandgrounders their win against Gainsborough Trinity the previous Saturday.

Davies may have wanted more goals but this was another comprehensive win for Southport, striking at important times before exuding an air of authority as they managed the game to its conclusion.

A return of six goals and as many points from two matches on the road has catapulted Southport into 12th place in the Vanarama National League North and that, along with the increased level of expectation from their manager, underlines the progress that continues to be made.

From the moment Jason Gilchrist put Southport in front with goal number 22 for the season, the visitors never looked back, extending their current run to five wins from seven matches as their reinvigorated form continues.

It had taken time for results to turn but, as one supporter remarked as the Sandgrounders entered cruise control during the second half, most of the players are now slotting into roles – making positions their own and growing increasingly accustomed to what is asked of them.

In that respect, no one has gone about their work with greater proficiency than David Morgan, a consistent driving force in midfield during Southport’s recent games, and his importance to the team was emphasised here by winning the penalty that set Southport on their way before scoring the visitors’ second.

Jack Sampson is the only player to feature these days who was with the Sandgrounders before Davies arrived. In recent matches, he has become the fulcrum of the team as the central striker and another goal took his tally to seven in five games, mirroring the team’s excellent form.

Gilchrist put Southport ahead with a nerveless penalty on 38 minutes after Morgan had ventured into the box before being tripped by Ben Clappison.

At that stage, despite an initially bright start from Southport, it was North Ferriby, marooned at the bottom of the league, who appeared to be the team in the ascendancy, but once in front the Sandgrounders assumed total command.

Morgan capped another supreme performance three minutes before the interval by applying the finishing touch to a sweeping move involving the excellent Dion Charles and Sampson.

And Sampson added the third shortly after the interval, converting a cross from Charles, who engineered space on the right before delivering a fine ball.

During the early stages, Billy Priestley was denied by the crossbar and, as the match went on, he headed over and had another effort hacked off the line before Sampson and Morgan went close again.

Of the six goals scored by Southport in registering consecutive away wins, Charles has instigated five to emerge as a key performer.

Indeed, every Southport player has gone about their work well and while they could have translated their second-half possession into further goals, the sheen had already been added to another sound away win.



North Ferriby United (4-1-4-1): Durrant, Cooke, Piercey, Clappison (Dunkerley 68), Kyei, Mail, Harrison, Johnson, Bolder, Lofts (Harrison 87), Ansu (Nicholls 58).
Sub not used: Exall.

Southport (4-2-3-1): Worsnop, J Richards, Howson, Priestley, Kelly, Morgan, Lynch, Charles (McLeod 77), Osborne (Dawson 69), Gilchrist (Cockerline 77), Sampson.
Subs not used: Halstead, Smith.

Attendance: 309

Referee: Thomas Parsons

Report by Alan Jones

Great informative reporting!! Well done Port!