They may be facing mighty Blackpool in the third round of the FA Cup - but that didn’t faze Southport who were just minutes away from humbling Fleetwood in this four goal Boxing Day clash at Highbury.

The Sandgrounders would have been worthy victors too, after taking on Fleetwood at their own game in a match which had ‘Great Expectations’ written all over it.

Some 3,000 plus fans packed Fleetwood's ground to give this highly anticipated Lancashire derby a cracking atmosphere, with the home crowd silenced with an opening goal from Southport's top scorer Gray who put the visitors ahead after heading home a Whalley free kick on 13 minutes.

Soon though, the visitors looked to be very much on the back foot as Fleetwood piled on the pressure with some well crafted attacking and it was only a matter of time before Mangan got the reply in the 18th minute after attacking pressure saw a penalty given away.

Fleetwood were now well and truly in charge of the game making Southport look lacklustre at times – thank goodness for flashes of inspiration from Lever and Whalley who played to their strengths in midfield to feed the attack.

And to their credit Southport emerged after half time determined to make a game of it, with Gray once again on target with a sledgehammer of a goal well taken in the 50th minute despite the attentions of the Fleetwood defence.

The visitors now looked like they had the match sown up as they tested Fleetwood with some inventive, free flowing football played with pace, resolution and determination as they sensed they might be able to take all three points from the match, particularly after Fleetwood had been reduced to ten men after referee Scott Duncan red carded Jamie McGuire on 54 minutes.

Gray’s departure from the Southport front line in the 70th minute took some fire from the attack although the team still dominated much of the last quarter of the game.

But with just twelve minutes to go, Fleetwood drew level after a low, hard shot from Brodie took a deflection off the post to beat keeper McMillan.

This Sunday’s return match should be one to savour...

Fleetwood: 1. Scott Davies 26. Peter Cavanagh 13. Alan Goodall (68) 2. Shaun Beeley 5. Steve McNulty 6. Nathan Pond 18. Jamie McGuire 33. Jamie Vardy 14. Andy Mangan 10. Magno Vieira 19. Gareth Seddon (57)

SUBS: 34. David Stephenson (GK) 9. Richard Brodie 11. Peter Till 12. Junior Brown (68)
15. Keith Briggs (57)

Southport: 1. Tony McMillan 15. Andy Owens 11. Andrew Parry 14. James Smith 6. Simon Grand 5. Earl Davis 3. Chris Lever 7. Shaun Whalley 19. Godfrey Poku 8. Alan Moogan
10. Tony Gray (72)

SUBS: 13. Matt Nemes (GK) 9. Kurtis Guthrie (72) 12. Jonathan Brown 20. Russell Benjamin 23. Adam Carden

REFEREE: Scott Duncan

For more information on SFC please visit www.southportfc.com or www.southportfc.co.uk

Couldn't hang in for the win but still a decent point against a strong side, I'm sure it will bring the usual cretins on here knocking the club again like we get every week but who cares cos we are 3rd in the league at new year :)

Personal message for that prick sticky fingers

"You`re not singing anymore"

Now get back under your rock you slimy little slug.

That guy - still waiting for the post from him - really is one of the site's halfwits. Or does that description flatter him ? Great 2011 from Southport.

Id still like to hear how he got the name sticky fingers

Does any one know if tickets for the return game on new years are are available per match for the main stand ? Or is it just turn up and pay at the gate ?

good away point............... await the home game against Fleetwood.

still a bus stop away.

Turn up and pay at gate.
Well done once again Yellows

I did promise myself that I wouldn't step foot in Haig Avenue again until OTS is reinstated and I have kept to my word, having just returned from Fleetwood I must say we were very lucky coming away with one point after the sending off.

Clap trap clapham OUT

OTS in

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bac...w=1344&bih=675

Well ur a fool to back him, all ur doing is missing out on going to watch the team u support for the sake of a fella who's only interest in the club would be to try make money off a website

My Chairman MBE can always be relied upon to deliver.

Well done that man.

Originally Posted by daveball

, having just returned from Fleetwood

As if.

So much for fleetwood hammering us like some on here predicted a couple of weeks ago.

Was a good game and we were unlucky not to get the win but i would of taken a point before the game started. Good result for us.

UTP

Originally Posted by daveball

I did promise myself that I wouldn't step foot in Haig Avenue again until OTS is reinstated and I have kept to my word, having just returned from Fleetwood I must say we were very lucky coming away with one point after the sending off.

Clap trap clapham OUT

OTS in

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bac...w=1344&bih=675

Was u one of them dogs back to back and we used swill em you backward w***er sticky get under your rock

cheekyche please please please just pm me with a time and place.

Clap trap clapham OUT

OTS in

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bac...w=1344&bih=675

[QUOTE=ontheball



"But with just twelve minutes to go"

Think you meant TWO minutes??

Originally Posted by daveball

I did promise myself that I wouldn't step foot in Haig Avenue again until OTS is reinstated and I have kept to my word, having just returned from Fleetwood

Not that I doubt you but can you tell me what stand you were in and how much did you have to pay on the gate?

Originally Posted by daveball

cheekyche please please please just pm me with a time and place.

Clap trap clapham OUT


OTS in

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=bac...w=1344&bih=675

Dont need to pm you there can always be a time and the place you know who i am sticky you pm me darling

Grow up Daveball !!!
Up The Port !!!!!!

Ots in, clap=rat clapham out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a poor result that was for Southport.They couldn't even beat a team with only 10 men!!Southport are beginning to flounder and will no doubt drop down the division to their natural position,bottom four,whilst Fleetwood will continue to wallop teams and take their place in the Football League!

Up the Cod Army!!!

OTS In,Clap trap Clapham Out!!!

Originally Posted by ratboy

What a poor result that was for Southport.They couldn't even beat a team with only 10 men!!Southport are beginning to flounder and will no doubt drop down the division to their natural position,bottom four,whilst Fleetwood will continue to wallop teams and take their place in the Football League!

Up the Cod Army!!!

OTS In,Clap trap Clapham Out!!!

Troll alert!

Athough a draw against Fleetwood on their ground was a reasonable result, with a little bit of luck and/or a little bit of guile we could have had three points. A good match though.
PS This fleetwood millionaire clearly feels that toilet facilities are not a priority--made Haig Avenue latrines look OK.

Interestingly, an anagram of 'Ratboy' and 'DaveBall' is LAVATORY DABBLE - which is what they probably have every time Southport concede a goal. W*****s. Wonder if thats what the sticky fingers reference relates to.

Originally Posted by grim_reaper

Interestingly, an anagram of 'Ratboy' and 'DaveBall' is LAVATORY DABBLE - which is what they probably have every time Southport concede a goal. W*****s. Wonder if thats what the sticky fingers reference relates to.

grim_reaper

You clearly are a disturbed individual with references to tinkering in toilets and obviously have far too much time on your hands to come up with your "witty" anagram.