Recap

Tom Murphy reports from Hurst Cross…

Marine secured all three points in Greater Manchester as they secured third spot in the play off places. 

Goals from Jack Bainbridge, Matty Waters and Sol Solomon lead Marine to a brilliant victory away to Ashton United. 

Bainbridge’s first goal for the club came in just seven minutes after a fast paced, hectic start at Hurst Cross. 

A freak equaliser came just four minutes later when Ashton goalkeeper Paul Cooper put the ball past an unsettled Bobby Jones who couldn’t keep the ball out the net. Warren Clarke was there to make sure his side hit back with an easy tap in but the hosts awarded the goal to their number one. 

After a frantic start Marine seemed to settle the best of the two sides as they looked to retake the lead. 

Sinclair Smith saw a header meet the hands of Cooper from close range in what was the best chance for both sides after the two early goals. 

Ashton rarely caused Neil Young’s side any problems in the first half and this continued as we entered the second period. 

Whilst staying compact at the back, the Mariners added two more goals inside twenty minutes. 

Waters grabbed the second after the ball fell to him from a Cooper save to deny Bobby Grant before captain of the day Solomon converted an effort into the back of the net from a corner kick. 

The away side continued to cause Ashton problems at the back after going 3-1 up. Grant and Sinclair Smith both came close but were unable to find the target. 

The Mariners now look to Tuesday night where they will host Warrington Rylands at the MTA in the playoff semi final – Neil Young’s first home playoff tie of his managerial career. 

Ashton United: 1 Paul Cooper, 2 Sam Baird, 3 Sean Newton, 4 Nathan Lowe (Mitchell Rose 64), 5 Luke Burke, 6 Brad Abbott (Bobby Bjork 64′), 7 Bernardo Couto, 8 James Hardy, 9 James Caton (Jake Charles 77′), 10 Keilen Adams, 11 Warren Clarke

Unused Subs: 13 Luke Simpson, 14 Marcus Cusani. 

Marine: 1 Bobby Jones, 2 Matty Waters, 3 Freddie Sass, 4 Harvey Gregson (Louis White 77), 5 Chris Doyle, 6 Scott Butler, 7 Finlay Sinclair-Smith (Liam Nolan 73), 8 Jack Bainbridge (Owen Windsor 85′), 9 Bobby Grant, 10 Sol Solomon, 11 Owen Robinson

Unused  Subs: 14 Jon Routledge,16 Manasse Mampala. 

Northern Premier League – Premier Division

Saturday 27th April 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

Hurst Cross

Attendance: 578

Marine Man of the Match: Jack Bainbridge