The first and last time we played Southport

The Sandgrounders and ourselves regularly played each other until the mid 70s.

We met twice in a week in the old Third Division North in season 1921-22.  It was the practice in those days to play back-to-back matches, although in our case we had an away game at Ashington in between.

We lost that first game against Southport by 3-1, with Eddie Wolstenholme scoring our goal.

Team: Greig, Greaves, Barbour, Burridge, Sutcliffe, Malcolm, Dolphin, Hopper, Travis, Wolstenholme, Winship

But the week after, we gained our revenge with a 3-0 win at Feethams, Norman Crook and graham Doggart (2) scoring our goals.

Team; Brown, Greaves, Barbour, Burridge, Sutcliffe, Malcolm, Dolphin, Healey, Crook, Doggart, Winship

We played each other regularly in the Football League until season 1977-78, when Southport failed to win re-election and were replaced by Wigan Athletic.

We met again in seasons 2010-11 and 2011-12 in the Conference Premier.

The last time we played Southport was on 16^th February this year at Blackwell Meadows, the game finishing in a goalless draw, just as it had at Haig Avenue earlier in the season.

Jonny Maddison saved a penalty at Haig Avenue, and he kept a clean sheet again in this game. Quakers though lost left wing back Sam Muggleton with a bad injury just after half time.

Southport striker Dion Charles went close twice in the first ten minutes, firstly with a right foot shot that he dragged wide of the post, and then he volleyed a right-wing cross just wide.

Quakers’ main attacking threat came from long throws by Muggleton, and on one occasion Simon Ainge headed just over the top, then on the next, Romal Palmer fired narrowly over the crossbar.

Nearer half time, Liam Hughes, playing his first game at Blackwell Meadows for over a month while he had time off to deal with personal health problems, headed a Galbraith corner over the top.

Quakers had to reshuffle just on half time when Muggleton suffered a bad leg injury in a 50-50 challenge with Southport midfielder Marcus Wood, and had to be stretchered off after a lengthy delay. Just after half time, Galbraith and keeper Jonny Maddison collided as they challenged for a high ball into the box with two Southport players, and both of them needed treatment, with Galbraith leaving the field.

Nevertheless, Quakers kept going, and they nearly won the game when Ainge headed an Elliott free kick into the six-yard box for sub Harvey Saunders to head just wide, then Southport keeper Dan Hanford managed to touch a 30-yard free kick by Palmer just over the top.

However, Southport also nearly won it through Gilchrist, but Maddison saved well at his feet.

Maddison, Trotman, Muggleton (sub O’Hanlon 46), Smith, Hughes, Galbraith (sub Saunders 56), Elliott, Palmer, Thompson, Nicholson (sub Kneeshaw 75), Ainge

Subs:  Wheatley, Hall

This afternoon’s game will be the 97^th between the two clubs in all competitions. Quakers have won 34 and Southport 43, with the other 19 being draws.