An Early Bath

Much has been written about the sending off of Manchester United’s Liam O’Brien after only 85 seconds in their match at the Dell against Southampton recently.

The only incident to compare with O’Briens early bath that I can recall at Haig Avenue was Chris Kisby’s dismissal in what was Southport’s third Northern Premier League game which took place in August 1978 against League Champions, Boston United. Chris Kisby was sent off after only 30 seconds play following a foul on Neil Callery.

The foul hardly merited a booking from where I was sitting but the referee Mr Barry Davies of Ruthin had no hesitation giving Kisby his marching orders. Southports defender had only recently re-signed after being given a free transfer at the end of the 1977/8 season, and was back in action after serving a two match suspension carried over from the previous season.

When Kisby was sent off the other 10 players pulled out a little extra to make up for their numerical disadvantage but after 22 minutes play Steve Thompson was “shown the red card” after a sything tackle on Terry Nolan. The only goal was scored 10 minutes into the second half when a long through pass by Nigel Halsall, now playing for Burscough, from inside his own half, sent Joe Turner chasing between Adamson and Phelan. Turner was brought down by Adamson and Dave Furnival drove the penalty kick wide of Stewart’s left-hand and into the net.

The attendance was 513 and the following players took the field;

Southport; – Dalrymple, Higham, Wignall, Pickering, Salter, Kisby, Halsall, Sweede, Furnival, Nolan (gets replaced by substitute after 45 minutes) and Wheeldon.

Boston United; – Stewart, Phelan, O’Brien, Poplar, Adamson, Thompson, Simonite, Welsh, Bates (replaced by substitute Mayes after 72 minutes) Kabis and Callery.

MICHAEL BRAHAM

The above article is reproduced verbatim from the Sandgrounder matchday programme in the 1980s