Southport`s big day was ruined by a ruthless display of finishing from
Sheffield Wednesday as an amazing second-half flurry of goals saw the
game end 5-2 to the League One side.
- Southport 2-5 Sheffield Wednesday - As it happened
The Blue Square Bet Premier side equalised twice shortly after the
interval, but ultimately the Owls` superior class and fitness won the
day.
It was a relatively quiet first half. Gary Teale bagged Wednesday's
opener in the 11th minute as he latched onto Clinton Morrison's low
cross across the six-yard box.
Giles Coke saw a curling effort strike the crossbar in the 35th minute,
but the match lit up just after the break thanks to an amazing 12-minute
spell which brought six goals.
Southport got their dream leveller in the 52nd minute when ex-Liverpool
trainee Paul Barratt tucked home, but Neil Mellor put Wednesday back in
front a minute later with a close-range finish.
Southport sub Matty
McGinn rifled in dramatically with his first kick to make it 2-2, but
then Wednesday cut loose.
Morrison scored two quick goals inside three minutes - the first into
the top corner from close in and the second a well-taken drive into the
bottom corner - before defender Tommy Spurr tapped home to make it 5-2
in the 64th minute.
Wednesday substitute Paul Heffernan almost made it
six with five minutes to go, but his header struck the crossbar.
Source: DSG