AFC Telford United 0-2 Marine; Enterprise NLN; Saturday 21st March 2026
Max Ledson reports from the SEAH Stadium…
Marine claimed all three points on the road after a brilliant away performance beating Telford 2-0. Two goals from Fin Sinclair-Smith sealed the deal marking his 150th game for the club with his 50th goal.
The game started quickly with the hosts keen to go on the attack from the first whistle with Marine having to sit back and soak up the early pressure.
The visitors did this well, limiting Telford to only two big chances in the 21st and 26th minute. Both of which fell to winger, James Meddows, in an identical position inside the Marine penalty area. On both occasions however, he failed to test Jack McIntyre in goal for Marine.
The Bucks saw most of the possession for large parts of the first half, but the Mariners slowly started to grow into the contest as the half progressed.
Sinclair-Smith gave Marine the lead in the 30th minute on his 150th appearance for the club. After great play by Offrande Zanzala to hold off a challenge, he was able to spot Sinclair-Smith in space who tapped the ball home from close range.
The away side started the second half much stronger than the first and doubled their lead eight minutes after the restart, one minute after a crucial goal line clearance by Adam Anson. The ball found its way to Sinclair-Smith on the edge of the 18-yard box who took a touch and smashed the ball past Josh Gracey marking his 50th goal for Marine.
After going two up Marine looked to see the game out but Telford came close on a couple o occasions, McIntyre pulling off an excellent stop to keep out Walker’s deflected free kick before Adam Thomas was on hand to head off the line.
Substitute Matty McDonald had Marine’s best chance to extend their lead in the dying minutes, latching on to a Jack Hazlehurst pass before being bundled over in the process of shooting, but the referee opted not to award a penalty.
AFC Telford United: Gracey, Dyer, Cranston, Piggott, Cawthorne, Fletcher ©, Walker, Leshabela (Hilton 82), Meddows, George, Allen-Hadley (Lawal 75).
Unused Subs: Pendley, Ikpakwu, Craig, Mitchell.
Marine: Jack McIntyre, Joe Ashton, Josh Wardle ©, Adam Anson, Adam Thomas, Declan Drysdale, Leigh Whelan, Jed Abbey (Jack Hazelhurst 56’), Offrande Zanzala (Matty McDonald 69’), George Newell (James Potter 90’), Fin Sinclair-Smith (Lewis Bell 90’)
Unused Subs: Harry Huby
Referee: Thomas Wilson.
Attendance: 1,279