Bromley suffered their fifth consecutive league defeat as an awful second half display saw them collapse in the rain to a resurgent Southport.

The game started with both sides looking to attack in an open end to end free flowing game. Debutant Steve Pinau hit the side netting and Joe Anderson had a shot saved before controversially Southport defender Josh Thompson handled the ball to deny Moses Emmanuel a clear chance, but escaped a booking.

Ali Fuseini fired wide, before the home side rallied with Paul Rutherford having a shot tipped over by Chris Kettings and Jamie Allen heading wide. As the half went on Southport adapted better to the conditions and looked the stronger side.

Adam Blakeman sent over a free kick which Andrew Wright headed home for 1-0 on 20 minutes. Allen forced a save from Kettings soon after before Bromley battled back.

Moses Emmanuel headed over Anderson’s cross before The Ravens equalised on 35 minutes when a big ball into the box was smashed home by Lee Minshull.

Rutherford shot wide as the game opened up even more while Adam Cunnington had two good efforts saved by Max Crocombe. Emmanuel went close again before Bromley took the lead on 44 minutes when Rob Swaine scrambled home an Anderson corner from close range.

The lead was gone as quickly as it came though as with the next attack Port pulled level Gary Jones being allowed loads of space and time before ending a quick break with a low finish under Kettings to level the scores at half time.

The second half began in the worst possible fashion for Bromley as on their first attack Southport made it 3-2 Louis Almond crossed for Michael Phenix to convert from close range.

More awful defending saw the home side pile on the pressure and they were awarded a penalty on 59 minutes as Ali Fuseini tripped Rutherford in the box. Almond converted the spot kick to make it 4-2.

Allen fired wide before The Ravens had a brief bright spell with Alex Wall having two shots saved rushing hits efforts when well placed.

The home side scored their final goal when Sean Francis slipped and Allen broke free to finish low past Kettings for 5-2.

There was a sign of hope for the visitors on 78 minutes when Wall converted Emmanuel’s pass for 5-3 and Pinau went close late on, but Southport’s lead was never really in danger as Mark Goldberg’s side failed to match the home side’s effort and intensity.

The Ravens now face Braintree away in the Fa Trophy on Tuesday before a tough Christmas campaign desperately trying to arrest the slide which has seen them fail to win a league game since October.

 

Southport:

Max Crocombe, Matthew Challoner, Adam Blakeman, Gary Jones, Josh Thompson, Andrew Wright, Liam Nolan, Paul Rutherford (Grimshaw 67), Louis Almond (Joyce 87), Jamie Allen, Michael Phenix (Jones 82).

Subs: Jonathan Viscosi, Cole Stockton, Charlie Joyce, Andrai Jones, Sam Grimshaw.

 

Bromley: Chris Kettings, Jack Holland, Joe Anderson, Lee Minshull, Ben Chorley, Rob Swaine (Francis 67), Pierre Joseph-Dubois (Rodgers 77), Ali Fuseini (Wall 67), Steve Pinau, Adam Cunnington, Moses Emmanuel.

Subs: Ugo Udoji, Reece Prestedge, Paul Rodgers, Alex Wall, Sean Francis.

 

Goals: Southport – Wright20, Jones 45, Phenix 49, Almond 59pen, Allen 76mins.

Bromley – Minshull 36, Swaine 44, Wall 78mins

 

HT 2-2 FT 5-3.