Warrington Town AFC 2 - 3 Southport FC
International Club Friendly | July 25, 2026 | 22:00 kick-off

Match Overview

Southport FC claimed a narrow 3‑2 victory over Warrington Town in an entertaining pre‑season friendly under the lights. The match, part of the International Club Friendly series, saw five goals and plenty of attacking intent from both National League North sides as they ramp up preparations for the 2026‑27 campaign.

First‑Half Fireworks

The game exploded into life inside the first ten minutes. Southport took an early lead when winger Jordan Archer latched onto a long ball and finished cooly past the Warrington goalkeeper. The lead lasted only four minutes, however, as Warrington's top scorer from last season, Bohan Dixon, equalised with a well‑struck volley from the edge of the box.

Southport regained the advantage in the 28th minute through a penalty, converted by midfielder Luke Burgess after a handball in the box. Warrington refused to buckle and equalised again just before half‑time, with defender Tom Hannigan heading in from a corner in the 43rd minute. The teams went into the break level at 2‑2 after a frantic first half.

Second‑Half Decider

The tempo dropped slightly after the interval as both managers rang the changes, but the quality remained high. The winning goal came in the 67th minute when substitute Kieran Nolan curled a free‑kick over the wall and into the top corner, leaving the Warrington keeper with no chance. Southport defended resolutely in the final 20 minutes to secure the win.

Manager Reactions

Southport boss Liam Watson praised his team's character: "We showed good resilience after being pegged back twice. It's pre‑season, so results aren't everything, but the patterns of play were encouraging." Warrington manager Mark Beesley acknowledged defensive lapses: "We need to tighten up at set‑pieces, but our attacking play was sharp. We'll learn from this."

What's Next

Warrington Town will face AFC Fylde in their next friendly, while Southport take on National League side Chester. Both sides will be looking for further improvements in fitness and cohesion as the season opener approaches.

Match Facts

• Possession: Warrington 51% – 49% Southport
• Total shots: Warrington 10 – 12 Southport
• Shots on target: Warrington 5 – 7 Southport
• Corners: Warrington 6 – 5 Southport
• Attendance: 1,238