100112CablesvSouthport

Prescot Cables went out of the Liverpool Senior Cup on a night of high drama at Valerie Park in a game which produced more twists and turns than a Hitchcock thriller.

Cables made one change from the team that started against Witton Albion last Saturday, John Couch replacing Tony James.Cables got off to a storming start taking the lead after only three minutes. Potter found Coulter on the right whose pinpoint cross found Steven Thames who scored with a textbook header into the right corner of the net.

Southport replied with a long ball played up to their forwards but Cables keeper Stephen Longrigg intercepted the ball outside the area and cleared the danger. On 8 minutes and Southport's Lever headed over from a cross from Ellison. Cables forced a corner on13 minutes taken by Gibiliru but McMullen shot wide.

Cables attacked again and on 17 minutes Jamie McCulloch found Sam Coulter whose shot was well saved by Southport keeper Matt Nemes. On 20 minutes Coulter produced another fine cross which was punched clear by Nemes and McCulloch's follow up shot was blocked by a Southport defender.On 22 minutes Southport levelled the score when Levers long free kick was headed home by Andy Owens. Two minutes later and a flick on from Carden was saved by Longrigg. Steven Thames then had an opportunity for Cables but his shot was saved by Nemes.

The second half opened at a frantic pace with Steven Thames forcing another save from Nemes in the Southport goal. Whalley hit the post for Southport and Longrigg saved from the rebound, then Ward blazed over when there were three other Southport players in support.Ma cMillan shot wide for Southport on 76 minutes then on 80 minutes his shot on the turn was saved by Stephen Longrigg.

With extra time beckoning Thames headed in a free kick from Liam Hollett at the far post on 88 minutes to give Cables the lead. Southport pressed forward in the closing minutes and with added time almost up Andy Owens launched a long throw into the Cables penalty area. The Cables defence failed to clear it and Brown lashed the ball home to bring the scores level. There was barely time to restart the game when the referee blew the final whistle.

There were opportunities for both teams to win it in extra time. Ellison rounded Longrigg only to shoot wide then Steven Thames fired wide after the Southport goalkeeper lost possession. Longrigg then saved well from Ellison. Extra time finished with the scores still level meaning that the game would now be decided by penalties.

Cables went first and Francis Foy was unlucky when his shot hit the post. Southport scored with their first three penalties whilst Gibiliru Hollett and Potter all scored for Cables. Southport's fourth penalty taken by Parry was well saved by Longrigg. Both teams converted their next three penalties before Chris Rowntree hit the bar for Cables leaving Moogan to convert his spot kick to give Southport victory.

It was a case of so near yet so far for Cables but they can take a lot of credit from this performance in which they showed good spirit and character.

Reporter - Richard Quinn