Mitch Duggan: Southport win a real confidence boost

Warrington Town defender Mitch Duggan admits morale is through the roof after Saturday’s impressive 4-0 win over Southport.

Making their National League North debut, the Yellows swept aside mainstays of the division in their own back yard to finish the opening weekend top of the table.

Following the victory, Bohan Dixon and manager Mark Beesley also received individual accolades – the former included in the National League North Team of the Week and the latter crowned Manager of the Week.

Duggan was named at right-back for the season-opener at Haig Avenue, and he produced a number of crucial interventions to help the backline secure a fine clean sheet on the road.

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Reflecting on the win, he said: “It was nice to start with the result that we did, and a clean sheet is a nice bonus, especially with the type of threat Southport posed from long throw-ins and direct play.

“I thought all the lads defended well, and to score four very good goals like we did is great.

“The win on Saturday will show the lads that we can compete at this level, so hopefully it’s given everyone a boost of confidence.

“The two back-to-back home games will be good tests against two strong sides, so we’ll need to be ready and hopefully follow up Saturday’s result, hopefully with a good crowd at both games as well.”

Having started the season in impressive fashion, Duggan knows that the Yellows will need to be wary of teams who perhaps didn’t know much about the club prior to their promotion to Step 2 football.

With so many new sides to face this season, the long-serving defender has also emphasised the importance of preparing correctly, starting with their historic home opener against Blyth Spartans on Saturday.

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“I think all the teams in the league know that it’d be wrong to underestimate any side, so I don’t think anyone will be taking us lightly,” he added.

“But with that being said, it doesn’t make a difference to us because I know we wont be taking anyone lightly.

“Like us, Blyth got off to a good start and scored four goals. I don’t think I’ve ever played against them, so I don’t know much about their players or staff.

“We’ll do our homework on them as a squad to make sure we’re ready for any threats they bring.”

You can read more from Mitch Duggan in Saturday’s matchday programme, which will be available to purchase for just £2 at Cantilever Park. 

Mitch Duggan is proudly sponsored by Amanda & Eric Hughes (home) and Dave Minshull (away).