As a supplement to our usual preview of Saturday's game, Southport fan David
McConnochie takes a look at his own team and analyses each of the likely starters in
detail.......
Southport make the long trip down to Somerset on the back of good form, a thing that
those at Haig Avenue have become a bit too unfamiliar with over the past few seasons. So
far this season our league form has been inconsistent to say the least. The highlight so
far must be the excellent 2-0 away victory over high-flying Nuneaton Borough at the start
of October, whereas the 3-0 drubbing at Moss Lane at the hands of Altrincham really has
shown the good and bad sides of the current squad.
This season Southport have lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. In goal will be Steve
Dickinson who has been solid so far this season looking a good shot-stopper but somewhat
suspect in one-on-one situations having been chipped several times already this season,
another noteworthy point is "Dicko's" kicks he must surely have the longest goal kick in
the Conference.
The back four has been very unsettled so far this season, but the probable line-up on
Saturday will be Martin Clark at right back. The tough tackling Clark re-joined the club
in the summer having left two years ago to join Rotherham. The centre-back pairing has
seemingly changed from game-to-game this season. Tim Ryan who played so well last season
at left back and even won international honours at left back has now been switched to the
centre. Strange? Tell me about it! Alongside Ryan will most probably be the tall Phil
Bolland, who sustained concussion last Saturday in the FA Cup game against Emley but is
expected to recover in time, and is the only injury doubt. The number three shirt for the
first ten games of the season was the property of Kevin Formby, however following illness
and a couple of bad performances he has been replaced by Neil Grayston, a diminutive
player who has good distribution skills.
The centre midfield pairing will consist of club captain Andy Gouck who netted the
equaliser in the FA Cup game at the weekend and has put in some very solid performances
so far this season. Alongside him will either be the impressive Australian Scott Guyett
or summer signing from Droylsden and ex-Liverpool reserve player Dominic Morley. One
guarantee is that on the left of midfield will be Mark Stuart who, in the eyes of Mr
Futcher, can't do anything wrong. On the other wing should be Lee Elam who was watched
last week by Bristol City and was subject to a close season bid from Cheltenham, however
he remains at the club but has, for reasons only known to Mr Futcher, started the last
few games from the bench.
Up front there is good competition for places. Lee Ellison has yet to find the net in
the league thus far, but has been boosted by several goals in recent cup matches,
including the second in the 2-0 replay victory over Emley on Monday. Pushing Ellison for
the number 10 shirt will be Lee Furlong. The exciting young player, who scored for
Southport at Huish Park last season, has good pace and technique and is many supporters
choice ahead of Ellison but has mostly been deployed as a substitute so far this season.
The is also Neil Woods, formerly of Glasgow Rangers and Grimsby Town, now aged 32 and in
all fairness seems to lack a bit of pace but scored a cracking goal against Welling a few
weeks ago. But the undoubted star so far this season is Ian Arnold with 8 goals to his
name already he has become somewhat of a crowd favourite. After his £20,000 move
from Kidderminster, "Arnie" put in some good performances last season and had it not been
for a broken cheekbone causing him to miss the last two months of the season I think we
wouldn't have struggled as much as we did last season. It is not just his goal scoring
abilities that endear him to the fans but his drive and commitment, the way he will close
down opposition defences and such like. Two other names of note are Lee Trundle a
£16,000 capture from Stalybridge Celtic has not even featured so far this season.
Nor has a certain Mr Beckham, yes that's right, cousin of Man Utd's David, Michael has
been free scoring in the reserves so far this season but has been unable to break into
the First XI.
So for my prediction, well our record against The Glovers at Huish Park hasn't been
terrific but I am optimistic this time. Confidence will be high after going unbeaten in
our last six, four of which being victories. This, combined with Yeovil's relatively poor
run of recent results, will mean a 2-1 victory (You what ? In your dreams, boy! -
Ed) for the Sandgrounders and the three points heading back to Merseyside.
Here's hoping Thommo isn't reading this, as I describe the strengths and weaknesses
of our squad in great detail ...... (Ooops, so you mean you didn't want us
to fax all this to YTFC, then ? Oh, sorry! - Ed)
