Ugly challenges mar game at Southport

Mar 3 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

Ugly challenges mar game at Southport

THE brawling events after the final whistle at Haig Avenue on Saturday overshadowed this game in a result that pushed Southport out of the Blue Square North promotion play-off position.

The brawl ignited at the final whistle as the Wirral-based referee had allowed the Redditch players to get out of hand.

Southport had earlier taken the lead as Tony Gray struck a stunning goal into the top left corner.

Redditch came out in a bullish mood in the second, making some feisty challenges. This sparked off a continuing undercurrent from the visitors which resulted in four bookings. James Johnson dramatically fell in the box under no challenge, with Liam Daly striking the ball low to his left from the penalty spot.

Neil Robinson thought he had a chance to restore Southport’s lead but he was hacked down by Exodus Geohaghon, who received a straight red card for the challenge. Lee Downes followed suit minutes later.

After a nasty challenge on Paul Barratt from Johnson, the referee blew for full-time rather than deal with the incident, sparking the after match brawl which ensued.

SOUTHPORT: Drench, Lever, Barratt, Holmes, Lee, Holland, Duffy (Houghton 51), Blakeman, Robinson, Gray, Powell. Subs: Hocking, Smith, Parry, Prout.

REDDITCH: Lewis, CLarke (Johnson 55), Edwards, Daly, Geohaghon, Murray, Murphy (Softly 76), Downes, Forinton, Rickards, Deakin (Markman 62). Subs: Walker, Evans.

REFEREE: Mr John Dowd, Wirral

ATT: 828.