Recap

Tom Murphy reports from Edgar Street…

Marine suffered a painful 4-0 defeat in Hereford after goals from Ryan Bartley, Jason Cowley, Andy Williams and Mark Derricott. 

Neil Young’s men were unable to deal with the clinical attacks of Hereford whilst offering little going forward, registering no shots on target. 

After the result Marine remained in 22nd position in the National League North on 13 points with two games in hand on the teams around them. 

The Mariners got off to the worst possible start when they found themselves behind inside the first minute when right back Bartley found the back of the net from distance. 

The Whites then added a second thanks to forward Cowley, who won a free header in the box from a corner to extend his side’s lead. 

Marine grew frustrated and this was evident when rash challenges from Chris Doyle and Finlay Sinclair Smith resulted in the pair entering the referee’s book. 

Hereford continued to pose a threat throughout the first half, with Neil Young’s team struggling to create anything themselves. 

With one change at half time made by Young, Marine started the second half the better of the two sides in a new shape and Charley Doyle slotting into midfield. 

They battled for every ball and began to create some half chances, however they were unable to put Tom Donaghy under any pressure in the Hereford net before the hour mark. 

Marine’s best chance of the entire game came when Sinclair Smith blazed a direct free kick over the bar just outside the area. 

Minutes later, Hereford wrapped up the three points after substitute Williams climbed the highest to bag his fifth of the season and his side’s third of the afternoon on the 78th minute. 

A deflated Marine struggled to create momentum after conceding a third and the home side remained the stronger of the two and created the better opportunities in the closing stages of the game. 

In the dying stages, Mark Derricott nodded home a fourth for Hereford, adding salt to the wounds for Marine. 

The Mariners now look for a response when they face Curzon Ashton at the MTA on Tuesday evening. 

Marine: 1 Matty Corran, 3 Matty Waters (25 Charley Doyle 46’), 5 Chris Doyle, 17 Tom Atcheson, 22 Joe Mattock, 23 James Brown, 16 Kristi Montgomery (4 Whelan 84’), 8 Harvey Gregson (14 Brad Holmes 80’), 10 Owen Robinson, 15, Enock Lusiama, 20 Finlay Sinclair Smith (7 Thomas 80’). 

Unused Subs: 6 James Butler. 

Attendance: 2,724

Referee: Jonathan Maskrey