MATCH REPORT: Port 0-3 Nash

New Year's Day Delight for Mahon's Nash

Photo by Ben Fitzpatrick (@BenFitzLive)

First-Half

The Port had the first chance in this encounter as David Morgan released Brad Holmes down the left side, initially beating George Waring but the ex-Chester man manages to recover, forcing Brad Holmes to lay the ball inside for Luke Burgess who cuts onto his left, firing well-over. The Nash would not need any warning shots however, as Stefan Mols picks up a loose ball off Harry Flowers, driving into the box, playing a neatly laid pass for Jimmy Spencer, who fires high past Chris Renshaw, 1-0. Southport would look for an instant response as David Morgan floated a corner towards the back post for Tyler Walton to loop a header over. Craig Mahon had his first involvement in the final third as he picked up the ball from Jimmy Spencer just outside the box, weaving past 2 Port defenders, firing an effort at goal which is palmed away by Chris Renshaw. David Morgan would continue to run the host’s attack as he had an effort from range easily saved by Cam Mason. Would not be long until the visitors doubled their advantage as a Jimmy Spencer cross from the left is poorly dealt with in the box, played back across by Jordan Richards for Stefan Mols to head home, continuing his rich vein of form, 2-0. This deadly link-up would once again cause issue for the Port defence as Jordan Richards fires a low cross into the box for Stefan Mols to hit just wide.

Second-Half

Stefan Mols would begin the second-half as he ended the first with the ex-Warrington Town midfielder bending an effort just wide of the left post. Southport were not settling for a loss as Matt Thomson had an audacious effort from range which floated just over the bar. Miles Storey made a cameo midway through the second-half, beginning with winning the ball off Matt Thomson, beating Jack Bainbridge, firing an effort into the side-netting. David Morgan would have another effort from range which bends away from the target. Jordan Richards continued to cause havoc in the Southport box as Jimmy Spencer meets one of his cross at the back post, bouncing a header off the ground towards goal but not troubling Chris Renshaw too much. Jack Bainbridge would have his first effort as he latched onto a David Morgan corner from the right, powering a header off the post. The Nash would round off their rout on Merseyside as Miles Storey drove past Jack Doyle into the box, laying a delicate ball into the six-yard box with Jimmy Spencer waiting to smash in the third & his sixth of the season, 3-0.

Line-Ups & Substitutions

Southport XI – 1. Chris Renshaw (GK), 2. Matt Thomson, 4. Harry Flowers, 8. David Morgan, 11. Tyler Walton, 18. Jack Bainbridge, 20. Luke Burgess (Marcus Carver 70’), 22. Brad Holmes, 24. Will Squires (Jack Doyle 58’), 25. Danny Philliskirk, 26. Richie Bennett

Southport Bench – 13. Tony McMillan (GK), 3. Jack Doyle, 10. Marcus Carver, 14. Keenan Quansah, 15. Josh Hmami

Curzon Ashton XI – 1. Cam Mason (GK), 4. Marcus Poscha, 5. Devon Matthews, 9. Jimmy Spencer (Captain), 11. Will Hayhurst, 12. George Waring, 14. Stefan Mols (Miles Storey 63’), 19. Jordan Richards, 21. Craig Mahon (Alex Kenyon 77’), 22. Adam Barton, 24. Rhys Hughes (Jamie Allen 84’)

Curzon Ashton Bench – 6. Alex Kenyon, 7. Isaac Sinclair, 8. Hayden Campbell, 10. Miles Storey, 15. Jamie Allen

Officials – Darren Rogers (Referee), Thomas Harland (AR1), William Vaughan (AR2)

Match Information

Southport 0-3 Curzon Ashton

Monday 1st January 2024 – 15:00 KO (GMT)

Vanarama National League North – MatchDay 25

The Big Help Stadium, Haig Avenue, Southport PR8 6JZ

Attendance – 1,165 (46 Away Fans)

Referee – Darren Rogers

Goalscorer(s) – CUR: Jimmy Spencer (7’ 84’), Stefan Mols (28’)

Match Report by Rhys Hastings Owen