Fallon Davies reports from the Harborough Community Stadium
Marine were coming off back to back wins until their visit to Harborough Town in a match that had many ups and downs and a fair few controversial refereeing decisions.
The first ten minutes of the match appeared to be a fairly even contest between the two sides with Harborough Town just about having more chances and possession.
In the thirteenth minute Bees’ goalkeeper Elliott Taylor handled the ball just outside his box after being put under pressure by George Kattah giving Marine a great opportunity to open the scoring, Jack Doyle bending the free kick into the far left corner of the goal.
Harborough spent the majority of the first half a goal behind until the forty second minute when Jack McIntyre appeared to be fouled by Liam Dolman, who prevented the Marine keeper from being able to get up and prevent the equaliser.
Marine started the second half really well as the dominated the first ten minutes but were unable to make anything of the chances they were presented with and continued their search for a response to the equaliser.
Marine’s big chance of the second half came in the fifty seventh minute as Fin Sinclair-Smith found himself through on goal and one on one with the keeper, his first attempt was saved by the chest of Elliott Taylor who then throws himself at the ball to deny Fin from netting the rebound with an outstanding save.
The next big chance of the game fell for the Bees’ veteran striker Britt Assombolonga as he found space in the Marine box but his attempt on goal deflected off Abankwah forcing quick reactions and a strong hand from McIntyre to prevent the goal.
There was plenty of back and forth action between the two sides in the second half which included many James Potter balls into the box and several dangerous long throws into the Marine area by Harborough’s George Carline.
In the eighty forth minute another long throw was cleared away only to be picked up outside the eighteen yard box and sent back in to substitute Paul Malone whose composed finish put Harborough Town in front.
In the dying embers of the match Marine remained on the front foot, firing chances forward from every angle of the pitch, but unfortunately Harborough remained compact and committed bodies to their defence, just managing to hold on to the win.
Marine (4-4-2): McIntyre, Abankwah, Drysdale, Wardle ©, Doyle, Hilton, Darby (Butler 85′), McDonald (Kouyate 70′), Sinclair-Smith, Newell (McAleny 74′), Kattah (Potter 60′)
Unused Subs: Barrett, Bairstow, Hodkin
Attendance: 1,255