Tom Wardle reports as Campbell’s Header Gives Mariners Well-Earned Point…
Hayden Campbell’s second half header warranted Marine a point, as they drew 1-1 at Ashton United this afternoon. Substitute Mike Phenix gave the home side the lead, before Campbell scored his second goal since moving to the club, rewarding the Mariners their fourth draw in the Northern Premier League this season.
James Barrigan started his first game since returning to the Whites from Warrington Rylands, in a change of system going into the game, with Luke Clark, Kielen Adams, Callum Harris and Campbell earning their spots back in the team.
The Mariners’ first chance came inside ten minutes. Clark’s long throw was flicked on by skipper Josh Wardle into the path of Campbell, but his tame header at the back post didn’t cause Gregory Hartley any problems.
Ashton almost took the lead themselves against the run of play. An unconventional cross from the left travelled all the way towards Ben Hardcastle, who could only strike the ball into the side netting.
Adams was at the heart of a handful of opportunities near the end of the first 45. His closest came inside the box from Campbell’s pass, he tried to spin his man, but the shot was well blocked in front of goal.
A fine double save from Hartley set the tone for the second half, as Marine looked to build on their solid performance so far. The Robins’ goalkeeper initially palmed away Campbell’s fierce effort and was there again to keep out Adams on the follow up.
Despite the visitors’ pressure for the majority of the game, Ashton scored the opening goal. A deep cross from the left was met by the diving head of Callum Saunders. Bayleigh Passant scrambled away his effort, only to find the unmarked Phenix, who smashed the ball into the empty net.
It took just three minutes for the Mariners to respond. Campbell had been heavily involved throughout the match, and this time escaped his marker to head the ball past Hartley, following a long throw into the box.
Campbell and Adams linked up once more to attempt to turn the game completely around. The Salford loanee’s dink over the Robins’ backline found Adams, who had to stretch to divert the ball slightly too high of the net.
Marine will look to turn one point into three, when they welcome Atherton Colleries to the Marine Travel Arena on Tuesday evening for a 7:45pm kick off.
Ashton United: Hartley, Baillie, Lonsdale, Sheridan (Hough 62), Regan (Baird 45), Coates, Hardcastle, Brewster ©, Saunders, Harrop (Phenix 62), Robbins.
Unused Substitutes: Simpson, Warren.
Marine: Passant, Clark, Smith (Pedro 68), Barrigan, Wardle ©, Spittle, C.Doyle, Lussey, Adams, Harris (Weir 90), Campbell.
Unused Substitutes: Ferguson, Howarth, A.Doyle.
Attendance: 362.
