Brackley Town 0-0 Southport Vanarama National League North - Saturday 26 August 2023

Brackley maintained their unbeaten start to the season but came to rue missed chances in a first half they dominated before the game became a stalemate in the second half as Southport resisted strongly to earn a first point of the campaign under caretaker duo Andy Burgess and David Morgan.

Early chances were passed up before Jimmy Armson was put through on goal only for Chris Renshaw to save with his legs. Danny Newton’s header met Riccardo Calder’s cross but was wide before Shep Murombedzi’s shot brought a stunning, flying save from Renshaw.

Newton fired in a shot that Renshaw kept out low to his left, Alex Gudger’s rocket from range was kept out and Newton’s effort was somehow deflected wide as the visitors somehow reached the interval on equal terms. Jack Doyle’s shot was The Sandgrounders’ only effort on goal of note.

Newton began the second half where he had left off shooting fiercely and just over before the game became a scrappy affair of few chances to either side. Both sides made full use of substitutions in a game of eight yellow cards. Injury then reduced Saints to ten men for the final 20 minutes but neither side could force a break-through.

“It was a completely dominant performance and we should have been out of sight by half-time,” Gavin Cowan said. “We had numerous chances but just not being ruthless in that final third. It has come back to bite us today but first half we were incredible. The message at half-time was to keep doing it but credit to Southport who have frustrated us. It became hard to get openings in the second half and to have sustained time on the ball. But it should have been out of sight and the fact that it wasn’t probably gave them a bit of a lift to think it could be their day. Credit to my players who worked so hard, showed great desire and tried to do what I wanted them to do. As frustrating as it is today, it is a new group and we are progressing.”

Brackley Town (3-5-2): Lewis; Lilly, Dean, Gudger; Calder, Murombedzi, O’Sullivan (Bates 71), Armson (McHale 71), Matwasa; Newton, Crawford (Roberts 66). Subs unused: Carline, Turner.

Southport (4-4-2): Renshaw; Quansah, Flowers, Anson, Doyle; Morgan, Heath (Bainbridge 57), Hmami (Evans 82), Walton; Costello (Watson 57), Carver. Subs unused: McKerney, Sass.

Referee: G Laflin Assistants: M Gupta and H Lavender

Attendance: 603

PIC by Josh Nesden