PREVIEW: Hatters feel at home against Southport

Southport can count themselves fortunate to be playing at Kenilworth Road this weekend after they were initially relegated from the Blue Square Bet Premier last season, writes Mike Simmonds.

Having finished fourth from bottom, the Sandgrounders were preparing for life in the Blue Square North until Rushden & Diamonds were expelled from the Conference after a winding up order was issued against the club.

That decision gave Southport a reprieve and they have been hard to beat so far this season, with two draws, including an impressive 2-2 result at home to Lincoln City on the opening day.

Fleetwood defender Simon Grand has been added to the squad, while Southport also swooped to bring in Bradford City winger Leon Osborne on a one month loan deal this week.

Manager Liam Watson changed his squad around quite significantly over the close season too, signing Steve Akrigg, Russell Benjamin, Jonathan Brown, Andy Owens and James Smith.

Team news: Hatters welcome back Mark Tyler to the squad, but the game is probably too soon for defensive quartert George Pilkington, Freddie Murray, Shane Blackett and Dan Gleeson.

Charlie Henry is still out, while JJ O’Donnell and Alex Lacey moved to Cambridge City on loan last week.

Port will miss skipper Alan Moogan, who serves the final suspension of his three match ban, while defender Earl Davies is currently receiving treatment for a knee injury and midfielder Aaron Turner remains sidelined.

In charge: Liam Watson – back in his second spell after managing them between 2003-2006, where at 33 he became the youngster manager in the clubs history. He left to take over at Burscough, before returning to Southport in June 2008.

As a player he made his name at Warrington Town before Preston North End snapped him up for £60,000. Unfortunately he only made nine appearances as serious injury cut short his career and Watson played for likes of Runcorn and Marine afterwards.

From the dug out - Liam Watson: “At Luton last season we ended up being like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

“Many of the lads were playing in front of six or seven thousand fans for the first time.

“But we go down there this weekend with a lot more lads who have experienced that type of game before.

“And the pressure is very much on Luton because their fans will be expecting the team to beat us, especially with them at home.

One to watch: John Paul Kissock. Pint-sized creative midfielder who shone against Hatters last season, especially at Haig Avenue.

Already off the mark this campaign with a stunning free kick against Lincoln City and was linked with a move to Kenilworth Road during the summer, although those rumours were scotched by Town boss Gary Brabin.

Notable ex-players and managers: Luther Blissett, Stan Mortensen, Lee Trundle, Peter Withe.

Fact attack: Stand up comedian John Bishop once played for Southport and won the Liverpool Senior Cup in 1991, beating a Liverpool team including Jamie Redknapp in the final at Goodison Park.

We’ve met before: Hatters have enjoyed a fair few battles with Southport in years gone by dating back to 1962 when Town won 3-1 away in a League Cup tie.

Town have five wins to Southport’s three in all encounters, but Hatters have a far superior home record, winning three from five, and have never conceded to their opponents.

Last season, four late goals saw Town romp to a 6-0 triumph at Kenilworth Road on Saturday, April 9.

Amari Morgan-Smith and Robbie Willmott put Luton 2-0 in front at half time, before Freddie Murray notched his first with six minutes to go.

That opened the floodgates as the now departed trio of Jason Walker Claude Gnakpa and Zdenek Kroca were all on target. .

Team: Mark Tyler, Freddie Murray, George Pilkington, Zdenek Kroca, Jake Howells, Keith Keane, Adam Newton, Robbie Willmott (Claude Gnakpa 56), Alex Lawless, Amari Morgan-Smith (Matthew Barnes-Homer 72), Jason Walker.

Attendance: 5,844

Odds: William Hill - Luton win 1/3, Southport win 8/1, Draw 16/5.