Port Are Sure To Be Stronger Next Season Says Bentley

The Southport manager believes his squad is now in a place that will leave his mind totally occupied the evening before a match come the big kick-off.

He may have a lot to ponder heading into the weekends but one thing he isn’t too worried about is his team’s ability to cut some of the Vanarama National League North big hitters down to size.

Port beat Oldham Athletic 2-0 on Tuesday, a week after putting Championship Preston North End in their pre-season place.

Excited Bentley is delighted at the options available to him and said: “We’re going to have selection issues, we’ve got a good squad.

“I’m going to have some Friday night headaches this season, that’s for sure.

“It’s a great problem to have. We’ve now got more know-how than when I came into the club, that experience will help the lads who were here last year. It was a quiet group.

“We’re delighted but it’s important we keep building and keep our feet on the ground. I think we’ll be better than we were last season, but we just need to keep working hard. It’s looking positive.”

Next up at Haig Avenue it’s an emotional meeting with Morecambe.

Bentley spent eight years in the dug-out at the League Two club before their former defender left to manage AFC Fylde in 2019.

“I never really got to say goodbye when I left Morecambe,” he said. “I don’t have to explain how much I love that club, I spent 18 years of my life there. I hope their fans travel in good numbers, I’ve got a lot of friends there.”

Southport begin the National League North season with a home game against Alfreton on August 10.