Recap

Tom Murphy reports from the Big Help Stadium…

Marine left it all on the pitch but they were held to a goalless 0-0 draw against rivals Southport. 

In what was the first league meeting between the sides in over 20 years, both teams had it all to play for heading into the game. 

The clash began slowly with neither side creating much in the final third. After five minutes it was the home side who posed a small threat. 

Nathaniel Knight Percival came close on two occasions, both from corner kicks. Thankfully for the away side, they were able to deal with these and keep the scoreline level. 

After an initial lull action wise, the Mariners started to enjoy large spells of the ball, especially in the final third. They were however, unable to force a save from Chris Renshaw. 

Despite few chances for both sides, the half developed into a feisty encounter with both teams bringing out their physical side. 

It wasn’t until towards the end of the second half when Marine began to cause Renshaw problems in the Southport net. 

Finlay Sinclair Smith unleashed a dangerous effort goalward and forced the first save of the game from the Southport keeper. His parry fell to the feet of Enock Luisama who saw his effort quickly broken down by the Southport defence. 

Marine had a second opportunity to go in front after 44 minutes when Harvey Gregson whipped in a delicious ball to the feet of Owen Robinson, who could only direct his shot over the bar. 

Nothing separated the two sides at the Big Help stadium at half time despite Marine’s late attacking surge in the closing minutes. 

After the 15 minute break, Southport immediately created another opportunity from a corner and Matty Corran was called into action for the second time in the game. 

Corran quickly dived to his right to tip the ball away from goal to deny the Southport strike deep in the keeper’s penalty area. 

After an initial chance for Southport in the opening minute of the second half it was a cagey opening since the restart. 

Similar to the first half, Marine began to enjoy large spells of possession as they looked to find an opening. 

After 63 minutes, Marine’s best chance of the half fell to Robinson after a nice ball from Luisama. 

The number 10 sent a curled effort goalward but it failed to come down in time and glanced behind for a goal kick. 

Sinclair Smith also came close when his effort from outside the box was on target, but not powerful enough to trouble Renshaw. 

The home side then went on to enjoy a few minutes of good possession and the game began to open up after the 75th minute. 

Port fans behind the goal roared their approval when the home side won a flurry of corners in the closing stages. 

They were unable to take an advantage from the set pieces and Marine ended the game the better of the two teams. 

Neil Young’s side kept the ball in the Southport half for the remainder of the game, however they couldn’t quite do enough to seal a last minute winner.

Marine now look ahead to Thursday night when they face Lower Breck away in the Liverpool Senior Cup. 

Marine: 1. Matty Corran, 23. James Brown, 21. Josh Wardle ©, 6. James Butler, 3. Matty Waters, 4. Leigh Whelan, 8. Harvey Gregson, 10. Owen Robinson, 19. Calum Agius(7. Adam Thomas 79’), 20. Fin Sinclair-Smith (25. Charley Doyle 79’), 15. Enock Lusiama (14. Brad Holmes 85). 

Unused subs: 18. Regan Griffiths, 2. Scott Butler. 

Attendance: 2,464.