Southport started pre-season with a 0-2 defeat to Blackpool FC at The Pure Stadium.
Goals from Demetri Mitchell and Shayne Lavery, either side of half time, helped the newly promoted Championship side to victory, in front of a strong returning crowd.
There were positives for Liam Watson’s side, including a solid debut for new goalkeeper Cameron Mason.
The deadlock was broken five minutes into the game, as Demetri Mitchell slotted into the corner.
Southport did have the ball in the back of the net themselves, with Marcus Carver heading into an empty goal, but Chris Doyle was deemed to have impeded the keeper in the build-up.
Both sides continued to create chances, but it was former Port loanee, Cameron Antwi, who came the closest, as his curling shot from the edge of the box was well stopped by the fingertips of Mason.
Down the other end, Jack Bainbridge came close to levelling the scores, but couldn’t hit the target from a Niall Watson cross.
Another great opportunity followed, as Connor Woods glanced a Jack Doyle ball back across the box, unfortunately Carver couldn’t steer his header goal wards.
Just before the break, Mason was called into action again, as he stopped a Jerry Yates effort with his feet.
In the second half, both sides made a host of changes.
Keshi Anderson came close to making an instant impact for the visitors, with a long-range effort going just wide of the target.
Daniel Grimshaw also had work to do early in the half, with the substitute keeper making a good stop to keep the Seasiders ahead.
A second goal for Neil Critchley’s side looked likely, with a goal line clearance needed to keep the deficit at one.
Mason also needed to make another excellent save, stopping Shayne Lavery’s attempt, which came after a superb run by Anderson.
The new Port keeper continued to impress, making a good save from Sonny Carey’s shot from distance.
With 14 minutes to go, Blackpool finally got their second, as Lavery got the better of Mason, as he glanced a header past him at the front post.
Southport nearly pulled one back, but Grimshaw made a good save against his former Man City teammate, Charlie Oliver, as the match finished 0-2.
Southport FC: Cameron Mason, Charlie Oliver, Jack Doyle, Adam Anson, Connor Woods, Charlie Munro, Marcus Carver, Chris Doyle, Dylan Vassallo, Niall Watson, Jack Bainbridge.
Substitutes: Russell Benjamin, Doug Tharme, Jordan Archer, Josh Hmami, (two trialists).
Blackpool FC: Jordan Thorniley, Reece James, Jerry Yates, Stuart Moore, Demetri Mitchell, Grant Ward, Marvin Ekpiteta, CJ Hamilton, Cameron Antwi, Jack Moore, Bradley Holmes.
Substitutes: Callum Connolly, James Husband, Kevin Stewart, Oliver Sarkic, Keshi Anderson, Josh Bowler, Sonny Carey, Shayne Lavery, Olly Casey, Luke Garbutt, Daniel Grimshaw.
Goals: Mitchell (5’), Lavery (76’)
Attendance: 1,049
Report Written by Amos Wynn
Match Details
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