Marine 3-0 Radcliffe; Enterprise NLN Tuesday 20th January 2026
Tom Murphy reports from the MTA…
Throughout the majority of the first half both teams struggled to create any chances leaving both keepers with little to do. The best both teams could do was direct mediocre efforts wide of the target.
Despite this the half was full of action, especially concerning the referee, Richard Holmes, who went off injured in the 13th minute. Fourth official, James Naisbett, stepped in to take his place and was quickly forced to prevent the game from spilling over with frustration growing.
It wasn’t until the second half when the game really came alive. Similar to the first, the game remained end to end as both teams searched for an opener.
It wasn’t until the 61st minute when Fielding smashed home his first Marine goal in front of a packed RW Invest stand. The midfielder was quickest to react after a scramble in the box from a Leigh Whelan corner and smashed home Marine’s first of the night.
Bobby Grant’s men smelt blood and shortly after found a second thanks to Jolley. An extraordinarily quick counter attack led by Finlay Sinclair Smith was finished off coolly by Jolley whose goal put Marine in the driving seat.
What followed was a moment of madness involving the away team’s bench. Red cards were shown to Lois Maynard and manager Anthony Johnson.
Radcliffe conceded a third late on at the hands of Marine’s captain Josh Wardle. On his 150th appearance for Marine he rose highest in the box to nod home a third in the 87th minute on a cold rainy night at The MTA.
It was a more than perfect response from Grant’s side after Saturday’s disappointment and they rise to 10th in the league table.
Man of the match: Sam Fielding
Referee: Richard Holmes / James Naisbett
Attendance: 976
Marine: Barnsley; Brown, Wardle ©, Anson, Thomas; Whelan, Fielding; Sinclair Smith, McDonald (Potter 90), Jolley; Zanzala (Martin 83).
Unused subs: McIntyre, Roberts, Bell.
Radcliffe: Halstead, McFadzean, Smith, Maynard, Hulme © (Hope 89), Afuye, Taylor (James 85), Roscoe, Clegg (Ball 62), Greenfield (Dudley 76), Scales (Gardner 76)
Unused subs: Thornley, Hewelt.