Adam Yates reports from yet another chilly evening at the Marine Travel arena as it felt like two points lost rather than one gained as Neil Young’s Mariners drew 2-2 with mid-table Spennymoor Town.
Goals either side of half-time from James Brown and Calum Agius overturned an early lead by the Moors but Spennymoor equalised on the stroke of full time to frustrate manager Neil Young and prevent Marine from their first victory from a losing position in 7 months.
Captain Chris Doyle was absent due to an injury sustained in the warm up but one player who WAS available was a familiar face…
Josh Wardle’s return was the worst / best kept secret around Crosby (depending on who you asked) and Radcliffe’s loss was Marine’s gain as he was welcomed back to the club, and importantly, the starting eleven.
Moors were the most dangerous side in the first half and it took them 16 minutes to go ahead. Issac Fletcher nipped into the Marine box and impressively blasted past keeper Matty Corran to reach double figures for his season so far.
Just before the break, Marine levelled. Harvey Gregson flew a low cross in from the left flank which bypassed all players in its path but found James Brown at the far post. His angle was much more acute than his goal on Saturday and he needed skill in order to double his goal tally for the season.
Marine found their second indirectly from a Leigh Whelan free kick. Joe Mattock managed to keep the ball in on the goal line and Agius was in the right place at the right time to make sure of Marine’s lead. It was Calum’s first goal for the Mariners in only his debut start on loan from Crewe Alexandra.
Neil Young was forced into some changes as the half progressed with minor injuries and concerns for Whelan and Lusiama amongst others.
Just as the Marine crowd groaned at the prospect of six additional minutes, Spennymoor Town needed only one of those to find an equaliser that broke the hearts of the home fans.
Aidan Rutledge, who had only just signed that day for Spennymoor on loan from Gateshead, came off the bench to make his debut and left Crosby with a goal to show for it. he found space on the right flank and drilled the ball past Corran.
NEXT UP…
Marine get a lie in as they travel up the A565 to Southport for our first league derby in recent memory…
Marine: 1 Matthew Corran, 4 Leigh Whelan (7 Adam Thomas 80′), 21 Josh Wardle, 8 Harvey Gregson, 20 Finlay Sinclair-Smith (6 James Butler 88′), 22 Joe Mattock (C) (3 Matty Waters 74′), 15 Enock Lusiama (Bradley Holmes 89′), 16 Kristi Montgomery, 17 Tom Atcheson, 19 Calum Agius (10 Owen Robinson 73′), 23 James Brown
Subs: 6 James Butler, 3 Matty Waters, 14 Bradley Holmes, 10 Owen Robinson, 7 Adam Thomas
Spennymoor Town: 1 Brad James, 3 Reece Staunton, 4 Callum Ross, 6 Ben Beals, 8 Isaac Fletcher (C), 7 Will Harris (Aidan Rutledge 65′), 10 Rob Ramshaw, 14 Olly Dyson, 24 Michael Ledger, 26 Tom Allan (Junior Mondal 62′), 29 Matty Dolan (Finley Shrimpton 60′)
Subs: 28 Corey Mckeown, 16 Callum Luck, 17 Aidan Rutledge, 11 Junior Mondal, 27 Finley Shrimpton
Man of the match – Leigh Whelan
Attendance: 913
