Recap

Adam Yates reports from the MTA…

Photo Courtesy Jack Berry @mediabybez

Marine recorded their first win of the season in front of home fans with a hard fought 1-0 victory inflicting further pressure on fellow promoted side Radcliffe.

Both sides struggled to hold the ball in the opening half hour with Radcliffe having the better chances.

On two separate occasions, young defender Tom Atcheson was in the right place at the right time clearing chances from Brad Roscoe and former Mariner, Josh Wardle.

Ten minutes from the break, Marine took the lead. A cross field pass looked to be going for a goal kick but captain Adam Thomas had other ideas as he managed to swing his left foot behind it bringing it in front of goal for Kristi Montgomery to fire a controlled side foot volley into the net. It was the first Marine goal in front of home fans since the opening day of the season against Oxford City.

The second half was a Marine defensive masterclass as the NPL Champions were prevented from any notable effort on target.

Finlay Sinclair-Smith hit the crossbar after breaking behind the Radcliffe defence and Chanka Zimba was denied a tap in late in the half.

The hosts time managed the five minutes of injury time with precise possession in the corners and well won fouls for their third consecutive clean sheet at home.

Marine have another fortnight to prepare for a lengthy trip to Peterborough Sports as they seek to escape the drop zone with another victory.

Marine (4-2-3-1): Curran; J Butler, Mattock; Whelan (Griffiths 77), Atcheson, Brown; Montgomery, Robinson Sinclair Smith; Thomas (Waters 72′), Zimba (Murphy 82′). Subs not used: Holmes, Lusiama.

Radcliffe (4-2-3-1): Hewelt; Jackson, Duxbury, Maynard, Hulme, Dudley (Modi 75), Rowe (Adams 79), Roscoe, Wardle, Riley (Campbell 87), Owolabi

Subs not used: Smith, Morgan.

Referee: Oliver Noonan

Star man: Tom Atcheson

Attendance: 1465