Match Report: Southport 1st 66 Oldham 1st 19

Oldham travelled to Southport to play the team 2nd placed in the league on a sunny day on the coast.

It took the home side only five minutes to open the scoring in the corner to give the home side momentum. Oldham lost a man to a yellow card moments later from a rather strange decision from the referee at the ruck and Southport scored straight away.

Oldham however answered back with Louis Fitton going over from close range following good work from the Oldham pack. Oldham then squandered a chance on the Southport line and a number of errors cost them dearly as an intercepted pass led to Southport scoring again. Southport piled on the pressure, after a high tackle penalty, going over again. Oldham again had the ball in the Southport half and a needless attempt to kick from the ruck cost Oldham as Southport broke away to score.

Oldham’s first up tackling left a lot to be desired giving Southport the ability to make good ground but it was Oldham who answered back with a converted try from Andy Birch who barged over following some good play wide out. Alex Jobson converting leaving the score 29-12 at half time.

The second half went much the way of the first with Oldham making a mistake or a missed tackle. Southport punished the away side by scoring three further tries after Oldham had another man sent to the sin bin for a late reckless challenge.

Oldham rallied late on with Adam Walker charging over with ten minutes to go which was converted again by Jobson. Oldham, try as they may, could not get any further tries to earn a bonus point. Southport were by far the superior side and would end up at the top of the table by 5pm Saturday afternoon.

Much to work on but pleasing performances from Marshall Yates and Walker for what was a disappointing afternoon by the sea with a final score of 66-19 to Southport. Walker was given MOM for a pleasing display in both attack and defence.

No game next week so hopefully Oldham’s injury crisis will have eased before entertaining Sefton on the 2nd November.