Port Can Call The Shots

Last updated : 16 February 2007 By Stray Shots Team

Ninth-placed Aldershot are making an all-out assault on the Conference play-off places while Southport are still locked in a battle to avoid relegation.

The last time the two played each other in the League was in 1977 - the year Southport were relegated to the Northern Premier. Both matches were drawn, 1-1 at Haig Avenue and 0-0 at the Recreation Ground.

Admitting that both teams need the three points, Port boss Peter Davenport said yesterday: "Aldershot are a good, strong team and will be a tough test for us.

"But we are ready for them and will do everything to put a dent in their play-off hopes.

"Last week at Tamworth we had the chances to have won the game and what we must do tomorrow is turn those chances into goals. If we can do that and stay tight at the back we'll get the points."

Davenport's search for loan players continues and he is hopeful that at least one new player will come in next week.

He added: "I'm after three specific players, two of them are left-sided and one is a striker. I don't think I'll get them before the weekend but we'll keep chasing."

Tomorrow's squad news is that Davenport is waiting to hear from physio Steve Whitehall on the fitness of Adam Dugdale (ankle), Matt Hocking (calf) and Tony Gray, who missed Tuesday night's practice match at Burscough as a precaution for his troublesome hamstring injury. Southport lost 1-0 at Victoria Park but Davenport was more interested in giving a match to players knocking on the first team door.

"It was important that some of the lads got a decent run-out and this was an ideal opportunity for them."

Former Port player Kevin Leadbetter scored the goal that kept alive the Linnets' impressive record against Southport.

A touch of nostalgia returns to Haig Avenue on Saturday when one of the Port's all-time favourites, Colin Alty, makes the Goalden Lottery draw at half-time.

Joe Fowler has joined Droylesden.

Source: http://icseftonandwestlancs.icnetwork.co.uk