Southport 0 AFC Telford 4 – Report and pictures

The hosts - managed by Liam Watson, who guided the Bucks to the National League North title in 2013/14 - were run ragged by Daniel Udoh and Marcus Dinanga.

Jon Royle struck first against his old club, with Udoh and Dinanga involved in the build-up.

Dinanga then doubled the lead before half-time, with Udoh and Ellis Deeney scoring in the second period in a near-perfect display from the Bucks.

Analysis

Completely comfortable wins such as these suggest Telford will be successful in their quest to reach the National League North play-offs.

Bouncing back from a disappointing 1-0 loss to Kidderminster Harriers, they soundly beat a Southport side who had lost only one of their previous 13 league games.

And the key to doing so was what could prove to be a very potent centre-forward partnership.

Udoh and Dinanga were strictly too hot to handle, getting a goal each and playing a big part in Royle breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute - before Deeney sealed it in stunning style.

Displaying quality and desire in equal measure, they were the shining lights in what was a solid all-around performance from Gavin Cowan's team.

With the pair in such form, and Amari Morgan-Smith and Andre Brown as the reserve options, you could certainly argue Cowan has the best strikeforce in the division. The defence continues to be solid as well.

Fifth in National North with 15 games to go, things are definitely shaping up nicely. The tough few seasons before this one are a distant memory for Bucks fans.

Match report

Telford made three changes from the side which lost to Kidderminster last weekend.

Steph Morley, Royle and Dinanga came in, with Theo Streete, Darryl Knights and Morgan-Smith dropping out. Streete and Knights were not in the squad because of slight injuries.

For Dinanga, it was an opportunity to make an impact up front and score for the first time since returning to the Bucks on a permanent basis from Burton Albion.

Last season's top scorer was in attack with this campaign's leading scorer, 18-goal Udoh.

In this fixture last term, Dion Charles ran the show for Southport as they won 3-0. And he almost opened the scoring in this clash, with his left-footed effort drifting just wide.

It was not the best of starts from Telford in the heavy rain, struggling to string a series of passes together.

But they did have an early opportunity of their own as Brendon Daniels, fed by Deeney, saw his strike deflect past the post.

A quiet spell followed as the heavens opened and areas of standing water started to form on the pitch - but the Bucks' threatening strike duo soon came to the fore.

Royle slotted home the opener after Dinanga, set up by Udoh, was denied by the feet of Sandgrounders keeper Dan Hanford.

Udoh and Dinanga continued to cause problems with their speed and trickery. The Southport defence seemed anxious whenever they had the ball, and the pair combined for the second just after the half-hour mark.

Udoh's scuffed shot was heading for the bottom corner, and Dinanga made sure by poking the ball into the net from a yard out.

That strike would have come as a delight to Dinanga, who thought he had scored minutes before but was flagged offside.

And the half, even though Jack Sampson almost got one back for the Sandgrounders, would have pleased Telford chief Cowan very much.

They played the testing conditions to a tee, passing the ball around in the right areas and utilising the pace of Udoh and Dinanga.

And that story continued after the interval as Udoh got on the scoresheet.

It was a sublime solo goal, breezing past Jordan Richards, carrying the ball for 40 yards, and cutting inside before his shot deflected past the stranded Hanford.

There was a bit of luck with the deflection, but this was a case of Udoh earning that luck.

And there was no doubt that the Bucks, who brought on Morgan-Smith, Brown and Henry Cowans towards the end, deserved this victory.

Deeney put the icing on the cake in added-on time as he curled home from 30 yards.

Key Moments

24 - GOAAALLLL!!! Royle strikes against his old club to put Telford ahead. Udoh plays a low cross to Dinanga, whose effort is saved. Royle is there though to put away the rebound. A composed finish from a player who rarely scores.

32 - GOAAALLLL!!! Dinanga gets his first goal since returning to the club earlier this month. He converts from point-blank range after Southport failed to clear a corner from the right-hand side.

50 - GOAAAAALLLLL!!! The Bucks are three to the good. Udoh spins his marker and carries the ball down the left flank before cutting inside and seeing his strike deflect past Hanford, into the near corner.

90 - GOAAAAALLLLLL!!! The Bucks get their fourth - and what a fantastic strike it is from Deeney. He picks the ball up 30 yards out, looks up, and coolly curls it into the far corner past a bewildered Hanford.

Teams

Southport (4-4-2): Hanford; Richards, Parry, Ogle, Bauress; Green (Homson-Smith, 87), Morgan (c), Wood, Charles (Gilchrist, 57); Archer (Lacey, 52), Sampson

Subs not used: Tibbetts (gk), Davies

Telford (3-5-2): Bursik; White, Sutton (c), Morley; Barnett, Royle, Deeney, McQuilkin, Daniels (Cowans, 71); Udoh (Morgan-Smith, 68), Dinanga (Brown, 75)

Subs not used: Wycherley (gk), Lilly

Goals: Royle (24), Dinanga (32), Udoh (50), Deeney (90)

Attendance: 1,052 (145 Telford fans)