Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Teddy Lavelle and Luke Burgess scored either side of half-time as Southport beat FC United of Manchester 2-0 in a pre-season friendly at Haig Avenue.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Southport took the lead nine minutes before half-time through Teddy Lavelle, who found the net in the 36th minute to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage at the break. The goal came from open play, with no assist recorded in the match data.
Whatever FC United manager Mark Beesley said at half-time failed to spark a response. Luke Burgess doubled Southport's lead in the 56th minute, scoring what proved to be the final goal of the contest. The away side were unable to find a way back into the match, and the game finished 2-0 with no cards issued by the referee.
The Turning Point
Burgess's 56th-minute strike early in the second half was decisive. FC United had held Southport to a single-goal deficit at the break and would have fancied their chances of an equaliser, but conceding within 11 minutes of the restart forced them to chase the game. The home side's second goal effectively killed the contest.
Key Performers
Luke Burgess (Southport) — Scored the second goal that sealed the win and was a driving force from midfield. Named player of the match.
Teddy Lavelle (Southport) — Opened the scoring with a well-taken 36th-minute strike, giving the Sandgrounders a vital lead heading into half-time.
Southport starting XI — Honour, Minihan, Burgess, Williams, Davies, Regan Griffiths, McKenzie, Solomon, Ogwuru, Slew (as listed by the club). A solid defensive unit that kept a clean sheet against a lively FC United attack.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Southport's two goals came from an xG picture that reflected a controlled performance rather than dominance. The home side managed 2 goals from their chances, with the match generating no cards — a clean pre-season friendly that served its purpose for both managers. The 983 attendance at Haig Avenue represented a decent turnout for a Friday evening pre-season fixture between two non-league sides.
The result means Southport and FC United of Manchester have met twice in pre-season over the past two years, with Southport winning 2-1 in 2024, drawing 1-1 in 2025 and now winning 2-0 in 2026.
What It Means
Southport's pre-season continued with this result as Neil Danns's side built towards the 2026/27 National League North season. The Sandgrounders followed this fixture with a 3-2 win at Warrington Town on 25 July, and their final pre-season friendly is at home to Wigan Athletic on 31 July.
FC United of Manchester, managed by Mark Beesley, continued their own preparations for the Northern Premier League Premier Division campaign. The Red Rebels remain without a pre-season win in this fixture series against Southport.
Verdict
A controlled, professional pre-season performance from Southport. Two well-taken goals either side of half-time, a clean sheet, and valuable minutes into legs for the squad. FC United will take positives from a competitive display but will want to address their lack of cutting edge in the final third before the season starts.
Match Events
Key match events between Southport and United of Manchester — 2 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Rivalry since 2024
Southport vs United of Manchester Head to Head Results· 2
Southport and United of Manchester have met 2 times — Southport won 1, United of Manchester won 0, with 1 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2024. Southport leads the head-to-head with 1 victory from 2 meetings. A combined 5 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 2.50 per match (3 for the home side, 2 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 2 matches (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 game (50%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 2–1 in 2024.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 26 Jul 2026