Isuzu FA Trophy preview: Southport vs Southend United – Merry cross the Mersey!

By Matt Badcock

SOUTHPORT

Saturday March 28, ko 3pm

Neil Danns hailed the Merseyside magicians as his Southport – and near neighbours Marine – go all out to reach Wembley.

The National League North neighbours are the Step 2 teams still standing in the final four.

Danns’ Port host Southend United in front of a capacity crowd – and the boss isn’t taking their participation for granted.

“We understand that it’s never easy to get to a semi-final of a national trophy,” Danns told The NLP.

Respect

“A big shout-out to Marine as well. Both of us are part-time teams. We’ve had to play against four full-time teams to get to where we are and they will probably be the same.

“So massive respect to Marine as well for reaching this stage of the competition.

“We know the mammoth effort it takes from everybody in the club – especially the players who have got jobs. It’s a big effort.

“We demand off our lads as much as we can, but we also have to find that balance.”

That’s been tested with an epic run that has seen Danns’ side beat full-timers Buxton, Eastleigh, Fylde and Yeovil to reach this point.

GLORY: Danny Lloyd celebrates during Southport’s win
PICTURE: Pinnacle

Hindrance

And, after a slow start to the season, fighting on two fronts has helped gain momentum to climb the table – even if it’s been an exhausting period!

“They both go hand-in-hand,” Danns said. “If you win a game, it gives you confidence for the next game, whether it’s the league or Trophy.

“We’ve tried to use both fronts and, in the last few months, it’s worked out perfectly.

“It’s been a hindrance at times. Against Fylde, we only had one outfield player on the bench – and a 16-year-old!

“We had to make do. The lads had to put a monumental effort into that game.

“It was obviously the same with the Eastleigh game. We travelled down there and the game was called off an hour before kick-off.

“So we had to reschedule for 48 hours later and travel back there.

“In the following two games, we had Bedford and South Shields away – we did 1,700 miles in about ten days!

“In my whole career, that was probably the toughest period. Coming into training after that ten games and the staff, the lads, everybody was mentally drained.”

Energy

Southport last reached the FA Trophy final in 1998 – where they lost to Cheltenham – and this run has evoked memories of their glorious past.

“There’s going to be close to 6,000 there, which is another unbelievable achievement for the club,” Danns added.

“The gates are going up now – we had 3,000 last Saturday – so it’s a massive effort from the club and owners, who have been brilliant, in creating a real atmosphere around the place.

“I’d been to a few games last season at Southport and you could see it’s a sleeping giant.

“It just needed an injection of energy. The owners have really brought that feel-good factor; they’ve delved into the community and spirit.

“It’s there for everyone to see.”