Adam Yates reports…
Peterborough Sports were the victors over Marine in an action packed second half which included two goals for the hosts and a missed penalty for the travelling Mariners.
A golden opportunity presented itself for Marine in the 12th minute as Peterborough failed to clear their lines but a low cross was not met by Chanka Zimba and the ball continued to Fin Sinclair-Smith with his effort blasted over the bar. The transition also led to the early departure of Turbine defender Kamson-Kamara who was replaced by Matt Tootle who would ultimately play a pivotal role in the overall result…
Peterborough claimed the majority of possession in the first half with chances left wanting by Dan Jarvis and top goalscorer Dion Sembie-Ferris as the main takeaway from the first half was a lack of quality in the final third. Sembie-Ferris in particular was a constant attacking annoyance to the Mariners back line.
It was in the second half that was to become Marine’s undoing and gift Peterborough with three points.
Substitute Matt Tootle handballed in his area and handed Sinclair-Smith a chance to score his first of the campaign, his last penalty helping Marine gain promotion in the Play Off Final last season. Sinclair-Smith’s attempt not only flew wide to the left but the subsequent Turbine attack resulted in the opener. Dan Jarvis found space after a failed pinball-esque clearance and Jarvis rolled the ball under keeper Matt Corran.
The final 20 minutes was mostly a time management masterclass from the hosts led by Tootle until a counter attack doubled their lead and Dion Sembie-Ferris put the game to bed in injury time with a confident finish.
Marine don’t have much time to look back on the result as they face a tough challenge in only 2 days time away at Kidderminster Harriers as many will be looking for a positive response.
Marine (4-3-3): Corran; Waters, Brown, Atcheson, J.Butler; Whelan (Griffiths 56), Montgomery, Robinson (Gregson 74); Sinclair Smith (Holmes 80), Thomas (Murphy 74), Zimba (Lusiama 66). Subs not used: None
Peterborough Sports (5-3-2): Crook; Kamson-Kamara (Tootle 15), Pitman, Fryatt, Gash; Lawlor, Gallagher, Van Lier (Gyasi 65); Jarvis (Alban Jones 92), Sembie-Ferris, Goodman (Felix 77).
Subs not used – Elsom.
Referee: Mark Bell
Attendance: 321
