By Harry Laughton
A Southport side looking to end a ten game winless run make the long 170 mile trip down the M6 to the home of in-form Brackley Town on Tuesday.
Brackley, riding the wave of a five game winning streak, are looking to make ground on leaders Salford city. A win could see them jump to second in the table with Harrogate Town not playing until Saturday.
Although the league table shows a six place difference between the two Conference North sides, the ten point deficit would suggest that Brackley Town were the team from a division above last season.
Finishing 23rd of 24, Southport appear to be struggling to adjust to life in the sixth tier of English football despite a strong start to their campaign. With an opening day 4-0 drubbing of Boston, all the signs were good but those days have long since gone, leaving the Sandgrounders’ fans wondering where their next three points will come from.
Since being hammered 6-0 by Stockport County at the beginning of September, Southport have slumped to successive defeats spanning over two months. Having scored only nine goals during that time, the Yellows will be hoping top scorer and former Rotherham United player Gary Roberts will be able to drive their midfield forwards.
Brackley Town on the other hand will be looking themselves to add to the 14 goals they have scored in half as many games. On-loan Newport County striker Aaron Williams is at the forefront of the Saints’ recent success, netting an impressive six times in the last five matches. Brackley could prove real promotion contenders should they be able to maintain this surge up the division.
Questions must surely be asked of Saints bosses Kevin Wilkin and Jon Brady of Newport County if they have the ability to keep Williams. His current deal runs only until January, however Williams signed an initial 18-month deal with the League Two side, meaning Newport may be looking for a fee should Brackley desire to keep hold of their talisman.
Quickfire stats: Aaron Williams has scored nine goals in his 13 appearances Southport’s winless run stretches back until September 2 Southport have failed to score more than two goals in all but two of their games this season both of which being home matches. Brackley have managed the feat an impressive nine times in seventeen outings this season four of those being at home.