Match Report – Non-League Paper – 15/10/2023

LAST-GASP GOAL MEANS FLOWERS IS PORT HERO

The Non-League Football Paper

By James Houghton

SOUTHPORT left it late to snatch victory in a game dominated by strong defensive performances as Harry Flowers’ header sent Gloucester City crashing to second bottom while the hosts climbed into the top half for the first time this season. Mikey O’Neill put a shot across the face of the Gloucester goal in the 18th minute after good hold-up play from Marcus Carver but couldn’t open the scoring. The best chance of the first half came in the third minute of stoppage time as Jamie Reckord curled an effort to the far post with the outside of his foot, only narrowly missing the target. Southport opened the scoring 37 seconds into the second period as Brad Holmes headed Keenan Quansah’s cross into the roof of the net. The lead would only last eight minutes as Chris Renshaw spilt a tame Elliot Durrell shot into the path of Harry Williams, who tapped in. Gloucester came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the 78th minute as Danny Wright laid the ball off to Murphy Bennett, who curled an effort off the outside of the post. In the dying seconds of the game, Flowers rose highest to meet a David Morgan corner and herald delirious scenes in the Southport end as they achieved their fifth league win in the last six matches. STAR MAN: Harry Flowers (Southport) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★