THERE’S nothing like a bit of bouncebackability to raise spirits after a poor performance. Having been poor at Curzon Ashton on Monday, we needed a decent showing against unbeaten Southport and we found it.

We had fast-flowing football which found weaknesses in the opposition during the first half and then stoic resolve in the second half to keep a big, physical, full time Southport side at bay.

After the performance in Ashton at the start of the week, I’ll be honest and say I was a little worried about Saturday. On Tameside, we had looked tired. At times, we were run ragged. Would we have recovered? How would we respond? Southport had made a decent start to the season and their eye-catching win at Farsley on Tuesday only added to my concerns. As it turned out, there wasn’t too much to worry about. We came out intent on consigning Monday into the history books and by full time it was well and truly forgotten about.

A bit like the Kettering game a week earlier, it was a performance where every single player made a positive contribution. There wasn’t a poor performance in black and white.

Justin Donawa and Jarrett Rivers tortured Southport’s full backs. If it wasn’t for Michael Liddle’s injury and withdrawal, I fancy Donawa and Rivers would have continued to make headway and we might have won the game by a wider margin. Sadly, that wasn’t possible with Alun being forced into a switch to a three at the back to deal with Liddle’s absence.

As it turned out, it was beneficial having the extra height of Josh Heaton in the second half with Southport doing all they could to put aerial balls into our box.

After the game Southport boss Liam Watson highlighted the issue of the wind and he was right. It seems a bit counter-intuitive to suggest playing against the wind was more favourable but as we found in the second half, balls over the top of the defence were nigh on impossible as they either ran through to the keeper or harmlessly out for a goal kick. To a degree, it nullified our chances of getting in behind the Southport defence and meant Adam Campbell and Tyrone O’Neil had to come short to collect and hold the ball up. The pair of them ran tirelessly for the cause throughout the second half.

With no attacking replacement on the bench to relieve them of their duties, they looked shattered at full time. Speaking of tireless running, Will Hatfield once again put in the sort of performance which would have a certain battery brand retiring their bunny and using him to promote their products. The guy doesn’t stop running. I love it. His drive, determination and ability to impact on the game is almost worth the admission alone.

Liddle’s injury could give Alun another headache with two long term injuries already causing a problem. Hopefully it won’t be as serious as the injuries to Luke Trotman and Jamie Holmes. Fortunately, the form of Osagi Bascome might just help the gaffer out.

He has done really well since coming into the side. He has complemented Hatfield nicely and provides a bit of quality on the ball in a deeper position. Although David Atkinson was signed to operate in that position, we might be able to now utilise the former Blyth man in his old right back role.

That would get us out of a bit of a bind having to play Liddle out of position. With no midweek game, I’m hoping we can head into Bank Holiday weekend refreshed and determined to get the most out of the games at Altrincham and at home to Bradford (Park Avenue).