Meadows finds the right blend

14th August 1971
Southport 4-0 Exeter City 

So well has Jimmy Meadows, Southport's manager, blended the new with the old that it was hard to realise that there were five new- comers in the side that thrashed Exeter by four clear goals in the opening game. They settled down into a well-knit team from the start.

The defensive cover, well organised by new skipper John McPhee was so effective that debutant goalkeeper Alan Taylor was never tested. And in the back four, former York City player Bob Sibbald was most impres sive.

Veteran Arthur Peat, starting his 11th season with the club, was always in the thick of the fray while the other two newcomers in the side, Barry Hartle (ex-Oldham) and Mick Hartland (ex-Barrow) also took the eye. But the gradual wearing down of an Exeter side which had looked quite impressive at the start, was the result of a fine all-round team performance.

It was two of the "old boys" Tony Field (44th minute penalty and 70th minute job) and Eric Redrobe (49th minute pile driver) who put Southport on the victory trail but then Harland came along in the last minute with a tremendous fourth goal to complete Exeter's humillation.