Teenage goalkeeper George Pickford was hailed as “outstanding” after helping Southport secure an important win on his debut.

The 19-year-old’s loan spell was confirmed on Friday, the Everton academy shotstopper moving to Haig Avenue for his first taste of senior football after an impressive campaign with the club’s Under-21s.

He was thrown straight into the starting XI as the Sandgrounders hosted Hereford United and excelled as his new side earned a win that moved them away from the National League North relegation zone.

Southport triumphed 5-1 and Pickford only lost his clean sheet due to a late consolation from the penalty spot. But a solid display from the Blues youngster in the first half kept Southport in the game - with the club’s own website conceding that “but for a string of first class saves by debutant George Pickford in the Southport goal in the first half… the scoreline could easily have been 0-4”.

Continue Reading: 'Outstanding' Everton teen stuns on debut after following in footsteps of Raya