[Radio Merseyside Commentary Broadcast Begins]
"Good evening, folks. Welcome to Haig Avenue, where Southport host Bamber Bridge in a preseason friendly. I'm Alan Marks with Radio Merseyside, and joining me is former Sandgrounders skipper Chris Leatherbarrow."
"Evening, Alan. It's a proper football night—cool air, firm ground. And there's real anticipation here. All eyes on Dylan Vaughan, the young trialist on the bench tonight."
[Inside the Southport Changing Room - Pre-match Team Talk]
Liam Watson stood at the whiteboard, marker in hand. The room was a tight space filled with sharp energy.
"Alright, listen up. We press high from the start. None of this slow buildup—move the ball quickly, stretch their shape."
He circled positions. "Neil and Farrell—stay wide but cut in when Davis or Lever overlap. We want to overload their full-backs. Terry, lead the line. Stay central. Let their centre-halves feel you."
He turned to Dylan. "You'll come on second half. I want energy, pressing, quick touches. Be direct when you get the chance."
Clapham added, "Stick to what you did in training, Dylan. You've shown intelligence. This is about doing it under match pressure."
[Radio Commentary - First Half Begins]
Alan Marks: "And we're underway here at Haig Avenue. Southport in yellow and black, attacking left to right."
Chris Leatherbarrow: "Southport pressing early—that's Robinson cutting in from the left. He slips it through to Fearns! Saved by the keeper!"
Alan: "Strong start from the home side. Chris, what do you make of their setup?"
Chris: "They're playing a 4-3-3, but with wide midfielders tucking in. It gives Davis and Lever space to push on from full-back. Neil Robinson and Farrell are interchanging nicely."
Alan: "Southport look to be testing the flanks. You can see Davis pushing up frequently."
Chris: "Absolutely. They're rotating positions too—Farrell sometimes pulling central, forcing Bamber Bridge's left-back to follow and opening lanes for Davis."
[On-Pitch Dialogue - 15 Minutes In]
Robinson jogged over to Farrell during a break in play.
"You need to drop deeper on the switch, mate. Davis is going high but you're staying forward."
"If I drop, no one's stretching them," Farrell replied.
"Fine, but call it. I can shift central. Let's not get in each other's way."
Pickford to Leadbetter: "They're flooding the midfield. Sit a bit and I'll press higher. Don't want both of us exposed."
Leadbetter nodded. "Fair. But if that 10 turns again, I'm clattering him."
[Radio Commentary - Midway Through First Half]
Chris: "Bamber Bridge starting to settle now. Their shape is tight. Their number 9 is dragging our centre-backs a lot."
Alan: "Lever's done well to step in on that last challenge. But Southport need more cohesion going forward."
Chris: "Midfield trio needs to move the ball quicker. Pickford's spraying it well, but Robinson and Farrell have to stop drifting at the same time."
Alan: "Farrell now down the right... crosses in low... Fearns! Oh, that's blocked brilliantly by their captain."
Chris: "Still, it's a good example of Southport's tactical discipline—quick ball circulation, attacking full-backs, and clever diagonal runs."
[Bench - Dylan Watching]
Dylan sat with a bib on, eyes locked on the action. Clapham leaned over.
"See how Fearns drops off their centre-back before making his run? Time yours like that when you come on. Also, stay vocal. The forwards are going quiet when we lose momentum."
"Got it," Dylan replied. "Farrell keeps drifting. I could exploit that channel."
Clapham smirked. "Already thinking ahead. Good."
[Radio Commentary - Just Before Half-Time]
Alan: "Still goalless, but chances on both sides. Southport have been brighter."
Chris: "Tactical discipline is there. Pickford's been a rock in midfield, barking orders and setting the tempo."
Alan: "Lever now with a surge forward—cuts inside... unleashes one! Oh, it rattles the post!"
Chris: "If that had gone in, it would've been goal of the night. Great intent."
[Second Half - Substitution]
Alan: "And here comes the change we've been waiting for. Dylan Vaughan, the trialist striker, replaces Terry Fearns. Big test now."
[On-Pitch Commentary - Dylan's Entry]
Chris: "First involvement for Vaughan... he checks into midfield, receives the ball under pressure... neat turn, spreads it wide to Farrell. Composed stuff."
Alan: "Now a long ball from Pickford... Vaughan rises—oh, good header into Leadbetter's path. Real awareness."
[Player Dialogue - 65 Minutes In]
Vaughan to Pickford after a miscue: "Was expecting the through ball. I'd peeled off."
"Yeah, saw it too late. Keep making it, I'll find you next time."
Neil jogged past. "You got that City touch, huh? Let's see if it works in a scrap."
Dylan smiled. "Let's scrap then."
[Radio Commentary - 72nd Minute]
Chris: "Corner for Southport. Farrell swings it in... Vaughan rises! Oh, that was close! Just over the bar!"
Alan: "That leap... very impressive . He timed it perfectly. He's giving their defenders a problem now."
Chris: "He's dragging their left centre-back wide too. Opening space for late runs."
[Late Game Action - 83rd Minute]
Alan: "Still 0-0. But wait—a mistake from Bamber Bridge at the back. Leadbetter pounces—slides it through to Vaughan!"
Chris: "Vaughan takes a touch... opens his body... GOAL!!! Dylan Vaughan with the finish! Calm as you like!"
Alan: "That's what the coaches were hoping to see. A striker's instinct. The lad didn't even look panicked."
Chris: "And he started that move—anticipating the error, closing down, then timing the run. That's a complete striker's phase."
[Post-Goal Interaction]
Farrell slapped Dylan on the back. "That was tidy, mate. Cool as a cucumber."
Robinson added, "Told you he'd nick one. Welcome to non-league, lad."
Pickford jogged by. "Timing was perfect. You didn't snatch at it."
Neil gave him a grudging nod. "Alright. You can finish."
[Final Whistle]
Alan: "That's full time at Haig Avenue. 1-0 to Southport over Bamber Bridge."
Chris: "And the story of the night? Dylan Vaughan. The trialist made the difference with a composed finish in the 83rd minute."
Alan: "He showed strength, timing, and no small amount of class. If this was his audition, he passed it."
[Broadcast Ends]
[Post-Match Team Talk - Southport Dressing Room]
Liam Watson entered as the players peeled off their boots.
"Good work, lads. Solid effort across the pitch. Defense was tight, midfield moved it well. Up top, we were patient and it paid off."
He turned to Dylan.
"Dylan, that goal? Composed, clinical. But more than that, your link-up play and movement gave us something extra. That knockdown to Leadbetter—top awareness."
Clapham nodded. "You used what we saw in training. That header in the 72nd? Pure aerial domination . And spreading the play out wide early on"
Pickford chipped in. "He listened too. Made the same run three times until I found him. That's trust."
Farrell added, "And didn't throw a strop when I cut inside twice and ignored him."
Everyone laughed.
Watson smiled. "Enjoy tonight. We'll have a decision for you soon, Dylan. Rest up. Good job, all of you."
[Post-Match - Outside Haig Avenue, Dylan on the Phone]
Dylan stepped outside the dressing room, match boots in hand, the cool night air brushing his face. He leaned against a barrier near the car park and dialed a familiar number.
"Hello?"
"Coach Doyle? It's Dylan."
"Dylan! I was just watching the scores come through. Saw Southport nicked a 1-0. Tell me that was you."
Dylan chuckled. "Yeah. Came on in the second half. Got the winner."
A brief pause, then Doyle let out a loud laugh. "Get in, lad! Come on! Tell me everything."
"It was tight. I came on after halftime for Terry Fearns. The tempo was high, they pressed a lot. I got stuck in, linked up with the midfield a few times. Pickford hit a diagonal, I nodded it down to Leadbetter—nearly led to a goal. Then later, mistake at the back, Leadbetter found me in the box, and I finished far post."
"Calm finish?"
"Yeah. Didn't rush it. Used that calm style pass under pressure. You remember all the drills you had me do? First touch, composure, checking shoulders—all came into play."
"That's why we drilled it," Doyle said, his voice beaming with pride. "And that header? Sounded like you were channeling Duncan Fergusson hahaha ."
" how were the coaches?"
"They were pleased. Spoke about my awareness and composure. Said I brought something different. Even the lads were sound. Bit of banter from Neil Robinson but in a good way."
Doyle exhaled slowly. "Proud of you, Dylan. Whether they sign you or not, you're showing what you're made of."
Dylan nodded to himself. "Cheers, coach. Couldn't have done it without what you taught me."
"Well, don't get too emotional. Go rest up. And keep your phone charged—you might get a call tomorrow."
"Will do. Night, coach."
"Night, lad. And well done again."