Warrington Town 0-4 Southport

WARRINGTON Town suffered their first defeat of pre-season as they were soundly beat 4-0 at home to National League North side Southport.

The Yellows were second best, even if there was little they could do about the last two goals, which were excellent strikes from Marcus Carver and George Newell.

Pre-match signing Luke Duffy played 80 minutes and showed a glimpse of what he might do for the Yellows this season, and he would have had the best chance of the first half after an outrageous turn on the edge of the box, if he hadn’t been pulled back by a defender and then been denied an advantage by the referee.

Two minutes later, on 26 minutes, Southport hit the front. Dylan Vassallo, appearing against his former club, was hounded out of possession by Mitch Duggan but it fell nicely for the visitors, the ball dropping for impressive striker Jack Sampson, who clinically poked home past Trialist A.

Newell flashed a shot wide after outmuscling Evan Gumbs, and then headed over.

Trialist B, who has impressed throughout pre-season for the Yellows, then delivered a wicked free-kick that was diverted wide by Jordan Buckley as it remained 1-0 to the visitors at the break.

The Yellows came out much better in the second half, and although Sampson would have the first chance, forcing a solid save from substitute ‘keeper Trialist C, the next 10 minutes or so would be the hosts’ strongest.

Trialist B had a free-kick punched away by ‘keeper Dan Hanford, who pulled off a fine save to deny Buckley after he had shot through a ruck of bodies from a corner.

Unfortunately, it was a mistake by Trialist C that enabled Southport to double their lead, spilling a corner at the feet of Mo Ali.

The flurry of substitutes did little to disrupt Southport’s handle on the game and they added a third five minutes later, a fine strike by Carver from outside the box.

The visitors forced a succession of corners and as time ran out, added a fourth – the excellent Newell turning sharply on the edge and finding the back of the net off the inside of the post.

The Yellows are next in action at home to Salford City U23s on Saturday (12noon kick-off).

Warrington Town: Trialist A (Trialist C), Grogan (Carney), Amado (Warren), Duggan, Roberts, Gumbs, Mackreth (Regan), Trialist B, Buckley (Amis), Dunn (Dixon), Duffy (Trialist D).