Southport v Stockport County FA Qual 4

Another reality check for County fans. Playing Southport at Haig Avenue for the right to get into the 1st round of the F.A. Cup. Reality slaps us in the face once more looking at the Conference table – Southport on the fringes of the play-offs, County flirting with the bottom four.

Southport will be favourites to go through even though their away record is stronger than their home record. The best I hope for, with my optimisitc head on is a 0-0 draw and back to Edgeley Park.

I was looking forward to making a day of it. Candy floss, stick of rock, a 99 and maybe a pint or two but the manner of the last few home games has sucked the enthusiasm out of me. It will be Pure and even the back garden if we go 3 down.

Will Didi Hamann rip up his recent tactics flip-chart in favour of some straigh black lines running from midfield directly to the opposition 18 yard box? I really cannot see anything good happening with the current style of play. Happy to be proved wrong of course.

There is a Southport FC preview to be found here which includes the final paragraph;

‘Now unbeaten in seven games, the Sandgrounders are sitting in seventh place in the Blue Square Bet Premier league with thirty-two points. With the fantastic form they find themselves in, despite the injury and suspension setbacks, confidence is high in the squad and Liam Watson’s Yellows are relishing the challenge of improving on last season’s unforgettable cup run.’

I need say now more. Lets pray for a cup upset!

A&F