Following a weekend off Southport return to action this Saturday as they take on table-toppers Chorley.




A lot of improvement will be needed after the Port’s last performance against Telford, in which Liam Watson’s side suffered a 4-0 hammering.
The fixture list doesn’t ease up this weekend, with Chorley sat top of the National League North by four points with a game in hand.


Since the turn of the year The Magpies have scored 16 goals in five games, winning four and drawing once.


They began 2019 with a huge 4-0 victory over FC United of Manchester, as a well a 3-0 win over Guiseley and 4-1 victories over Altrincham and most recently York.


In that game away at the Minstermen, Josh Wilson and Alex Newby were both on the scoresheet.


Throughout the season the pair have 19 goals between them, with Wilson netting 11 and Newby on eight, contributing to Chorley’s 57 goals in the league.


Southport have already felt the wrath of the division’s highest scorers, with the Sandgrounders being at the end of a 4-0 dominate performance away at Victory Park.


The last time Jamie Vermiglio’s side suffered defeat was just before Christmas when Blyth Spartans got the better of them in 4-2 score line, for only Chorley’s fourth loss of the season.


Meanwhile Liam Watson will be missing the feeling of his sides long unbeaten record, with Southport’s current form now being two defeats on the bounce in the league.


Conceding six goals in their previous two games will leave Chorley fancying their chances of another big score-line.


If they are going to get back to winning ways Southport will have to recapture the form that saw them put five past Leamington and improve on it.


They currently sit solidly in mid-table in 13th place, nine points above the relegation zone and seven points off the playoffs.


It would have to be a plummet in form for Watson’s side to find themselves in relegation trouble again; equally if they are going close the gaps to the playoff’s they will have to avoid dropping too many points from now until the end of the season.


Meanwhile Chorley will just want to strengthen their position at the top of the table even more, with every win putting them closer to the National League next season.


Saturday will be tough for the hosts but should be a game guaranteed to provide action and goals.

Amos Wynn.