Marine 2-0 Stocksbridge Park Steels; Isuzu FA Trophy 2nd Round Saturday 15th November 2025
Tom Murphy reports from the MTA…
Marine get the job done in the Isuzu FA Trophy with the goals from Bailey Marsden and Anjola Popoola.
It was an eventful first half with Marine controlling the tempo for the majority of the half.
The best chances of the opening 45 fell to Finlay Sinclair Smith who managed to hit the bar on two occasions.
A powerful strike from the number seven rattled the crossbar with half an hour played before he hit it for the second time from a close range header.
Stocksbridge however still offered a threat going forward and they forced the first and only save of the half from Jack McIntyre from a Danny Deakin free kick.
They continued to look most dangerous from set pieces but were unable to force McIntyre into any more saves throughout the half.
A thunderous strike from Marsden gave his side the lead just after the restart, a goal which was his first in a Marine shirt.
The Mariners went on to control the remainder of the game and continued to create a handful of chances as they looked to put the game to bed.
Like the first half Stocksbridge’s main threat came from set pieces but resolute defending from the Marine players ensured they kept a clean sheet.
At the death a cool chipped finish from Popoola sealed the victory for Bobby Grant’s men who progress to the next round.
Marine: Jack McIntyre, Adam Thomas, Odin Samuels-Smith, Sam Fielding, Adam Anson, Declan Drysdale, Finlay Sinclair-Smith (Harrison Huby 90), Harvey Gregson ©, George Newell (Noah Roberts 72), Finlay Tunstall (Anjola Popoola 57), Bailey Marsden (Josh Wardle 78).
Unused sub: James Brown.
Stocksbridge Park Steels: Ben Townsend, Thomas Charlesworth, Jack Tinker, Kurtis Turner ©, Elliot Owen, Paul Iggulden, Daniel Deakin (Alexander O’Connor), Samuel Kay (Zac Jagielka), ALfie Wilkinson, James Morris, Connor Smythe (Thomas Marshall).
Unused subs: Michael Roxburgh, Marcus McKernan.
Referee: Deryll David.
Attendance: 776.