Southport 2-1 Marine; Enterprise NLN; Good Friday 3rd April 2026
Max Ledson reports from Haig Avenue…
Marine suffered a 2-1 defeat to local rivals Southport at Haig Avenue.
The game started at a fast pace with Marine keeping most of the ball and looking the keener of the two sides to attack.
The best chance of the half for the Mariners fell to George Newell in the 16th minute whose powerful strike forced goalkeeper, Chris Renshaw, to tip the ball round the post.
As the half progressed, Southport started to grow into the game and take control of possession. This was helped by them taking the lead in the 23rd minute. A great free kick by Luke Griffiths made its way past Jack McIntyre who couldn’t keep it out despite getting a hand to it.
The second half started in a similar way with the game being played at a fast pace. The Mariners again held most of the possession and looked the most likely to score. Charlie Jolley came close in the 64th minute with a first time effort that forced a save out of Renshaw.
Marine were rewarded for their pressure in the 77th minute after a Josh Wardle header rattled the crossbar and found its way to Charlie Jolley who was first to react to turn the ball home.
Five minutes later, however, Southport cut through Marine with a fast paced attack and regained the lead against the run a play after a cool finish from Malakai McKenzie.
After taking the lead for a second time the home side were able to see the game out comfortably, limiting Marine to half chances.
Southport: Renshaw, Lavelle, Moore ©, Slew (Lloyd 77), Gnahoua (Hope 77), Keane, Burgess (Miles 61), Minihan, Sze (McKenzie 56), Griffiths, Woltman (Hilton 66).
Unused subs: Tabone, Pickford.
Marine: McIntyre, Anson (Fielding 46’), Wardle (c), Drysdale, Ashton (Zanzala 87’), Whelan, Leuluai, Huby (Potter 68’), Jolley (McDonald 78’), Newell, Sinclair-Smith
Unused subs: Barnsley, Bell, Abbey,
Attendance: 3,176
