Following on from Saturday’s draw against FC United, the Port will be hoping to get their first league win of the season at the Merseyrail Community Stadium against Darlington.

Liam Watson’s side head into this game still hunting for their second win of the season, as a good pre-season is well and truly in the past.

After going behind against so far fellow league strugglers FC United of Manchester, a late goal from Devarn Green at least ensured they left Broadhurst Park with a point.

Up Next…
Another side from the North East visit the seaside, and The Quakers haven’t enjoyed the best start to the season either, sitting only three points ahead of the Sandgrounders.

A big issue for Darlo this season has been at the back, shipping 18 goals in nine games and having the joint third worst defence.

They began their opening two games of the season with a defeat against Curzon Ashton and a draw with rivals Spennymoor, before getting their first victory against Brackley.

A first half hat-trick from Reece Styche helped Tommy Wright’s side gain their first three points of campaign.

Darlo would earn only two points in the following five games following their first victory, including big defeats against Kidderminster and Altrincham during that time.

It was only last week that the Quaker’s were able to get back to winning ways and add another three points to their tally.

This would also be their first clean sheet of the season as Wright’s side strolled to a 3-0 win over Telford, their biggest of the season.

Late goals from Saunders and Thompson added to Nicholson’s first half opener to secure the points against a side who have made a terrific start to the league campaign.

Goals, Goals, Goals
Putting the ball in the back of net doesn’t seem to be an issue for Darlington though, scoring 15 times and having six different goal scorers this season.

From the different goal scoring outlets, Reece Styche leads the way with five goals so far this season, continuing on from his successful debut campaign for the club when he got 21.

Meanwhile as well as Styche, Ainge and Thompson have also popped up with three goals each, albeit Thompson’s being from the penalty spot, whilst Nicholson and Saunders also have two.

Darlo’s attack certainly could cause a Southport team, who are yet to keep a clean sheet, plenty of problems.

Rewind
Although last year that wasn’t an issue for the Sandgrounders as they completed the double.

The first meeting ended in a 2-0 Southport victory, whilst on the away trip Dion Charles starred as the lads in yellow won by another two-goal margin, the final score, 4-2.

Despite two defeats against Southport, Wright’s side managed to finish higher as they came 12th in his first season in charge.

Now in his first full campaign in charge, the 33-year-old will be pleased with the last victory to take some pressure off, but will still hope to follow that up at the weekend, which means another tricky tie awaits.

Ticketing
Fans can purchase tickets online for this fixture up until 8pm on Friday (the day before the game) by clicking here.

Please remember the club operate cashless turnstiles. So if you don’t have an online ticket, ticket in advance or Season Ticket, you will have to visit the Club Shop on Haig Avenue to purchase a ticket before entering through the turnstile.

The Club Shop will also be open as usual tomorrow, 2-6pm (Friday 14 September) when match-day programmes and tickets will be on sale.

Further Details
The Club Shop will close at 2:55pm and the turnstiles will close at 3:15pm for Saturday fixtures that kick-off at 3pm.

Match tickets will be on sale in-between these times in the 1881 Lounge.

Written by Amos Wynn