Southport will be hoping to return to winning ways this Saturday when they return home to take on Bradford (Park Avenue).



The 1-0 defeat to Leamington last weekend was not what the travelling Port fans would have wanted to see, as the visitors fell to defeat by a solitary goal.


That result means Southport sit in 14th place, while this weekend’s visitors are still battling to secure their place in the play-offs.


Although automatic promotion is very much off the cards with Chorley 13 points ahead of them, the play-offs are looking like a strong prospect.
Avenue are currently in fifth place, four points ahead of Kidderminster in 8th.



To strengthen that position, Mark Bower’s side will have to improve their mixed form of 2019.


The New Year started disappointingly, as they lost their opening three games, conceding eight goals.


After a further defeat and two draws, Bradford finally got their first win of the year at the end of February as they beat Chester 2-0 at Horsfall Stadium.


Since then, they’ve remained unbeaten in the following three games picking up seven points.


Their last outing was a 2-0 victory over Ashton United, with second half goals from Branson and Spencer getting them over the line.


Branson was on target when Bradford met Southport at the beginning of December, with the match finishing 2-2 with Johnson also scoring for Avenue, while Dean Winnard and Brad Bauress bagged the goals for Southport.


The player who has been influential in Avenue’s current run and throughout the entire league season is on-loan Salford striker Jake Beesley, who scored his most recent goals with braces against both Chester and Curzon Ashton in two recent games.



Those goals contribute to the 16 the 22-year-old has bagged all season, making him the fifth top scorer in Vanarama National League North.
Bradford’s goal scored overall are 12 better off than the Port but they much closer defensively, with Southport only conceding two league goals more.


Under the guidance of manager Bower last season, Avenue finished in the final play-off place but were defeated in the semi-finals by Brackley.
Bradford will head to the Merseyrail Community Stadium with a lot still to battle for, as they hope to find themselves in the same position as last season, only with a different end outcome.
Written by Amos Wynn
Ticketing


Match tickets for the fixture on Saturday (3pm kick-off) can be purchased online by clicking here.



Online sales are available until 11am on Saturday. After that, please head to the Club Shop or 1881 Lounge for a ticket.