Blues Match Report: Chester 1 - 2 Southport

Two late goals earned Southport all three points at the Deva Stadium this afternoon.

The opening period started quickly but seemed to fizzle out as it went on, with a lack of clear-cut chances at either end.

Fin Roberts looked the most likely early on, as he broke through with pace but saw a drilled strike slide narrowly wide of the post.

The Sandgrounders had a couple of decent effort as the half grew older, firstly through Sonny Hilton who forced Bobby Jones into a smart stop as he tipped over for a corner.

Our number one also produced a superb save to deny Malakai McKenzie who had struck towards the top corner from just outside the area.

Tom Davies had the final chance of the half as the defender latched on to Declan Weeks’ whipped free-kick but saw his volleyed effort sail over.

Connell Rawlinson’s men came out for the second period with intent and pushed the visitors deep into their own half, before the first chance fell to Fin Roberts who found himself in a great position following a clever run by Scott Burgess, only for Roberts’ shot to hit an away defender and deflect behind for a corner.

The opener did arrive just two minutes later though, as a delightful cross-field ball from Burgess found Dylan Mottley-Henry who poked a fantastic finish past an outstretched Chris Renshaw in the visiting goal.

The hosts went close to a second on numerous occasions soon after, firstly through Phil Croker who span inside the box and fired over, before F. Roberts managed to fire an effort past Renshaw and into the net, only for the linesman’s flag to rule it out.

Southport pushed Chester back in the latter stages and forged a route back into the game just as the clock ticked over the 90-minute mark, as a corner was bundled past Jones by substitute Chris Sze.

A second came just three minutes later for Neil Danns’ side as a long throw found it’s way into the path of Danny Lloyd who fired home from close-range to claim all three points.

A disappointing end to the contest for the Blues, who return to Enterprise National League North action next weekend for a clash with Curzon Ashton.

Chester FC: Jones, Woodthorpe, Weeks, T. Davies, Mottley-Henry, Shrimpton, Leigh (Bainbridge 90′), Carson, Croker (Leak 76′), Rosenblatt (S. Burgess 46′), F. Roberts (Peers 69′).

Subs not used: B. Davies, Kelly

Scorers: Mottley-Henry 56′, Sze 90+1′, Lloyd 90+4′.

Attendance: 2,635 (295 away)

You can watch the post-match interview with Connell Rawlinson here...