Adam Yates reports from Mount Pleasant, the home of Marske United as Marine ran out 4-2 winners in their opening game of the FA trophy to progress to the next round.

A flurry of goals in the opening 20 minutes set the tone for a close affair before Sol Solomon made sure of the result close to full time.

There was a feeling of cup deja vu in the air not only because we had played Marske at their ground not 14 days prior but due to the fact that we played United in the third round proper of this very same trophy last season where Marske ran out 2-1 winners.

The main headline pre game was the look of the defence. Recent short term injuries to Wardle and Spittle meant that Neil Young had to improvise, not helped by Woodthorpe not being available to play via his parent club. Kyle Hayde was drafted to central defence and Jordan Lussey assumed the captain’s armband.

The start of the game was less than ideal. United’s star striker Adam Boyes gave the hosts the earliest of leads as a flicked on header broke through the flat footed defence and Boyes broke though and slotted the first of the day.

Marine, however, retaliated within seconds of the restart. Marske’s keeper, Jaan Yaqub parried a Will Russ shot and it came out near the edge of the box where Sinclair-Smith calmly  placed a strong attempt in the net.

Not to be content with the equaliser, Marine took the lead in the 10th minute. Sol Solomon was given a well timed lobbed cross by Jordan Lussey which he did not waste. Sol found himself one on one with the keeper and he dinked the ball over Yaqub for his first goal of the day.

The pitch quality along with wind from the coast provided added drama for the 252 in attendance but it resulted in havoc with wild high balls and bobbled shots. Such factors led to Boyes getting his second of the day in astonishing fashion. Marines’ Felix Goddard came out of his area for one of his typical headers or clearances but on this occasion, the wind got behind the ball and flew over his head. It was now a foot race between himself, defender Kyle Hayde and Adam Boyes,  and the latter won said race to give Marske an equaliser and a way back in the game.

Even though Marine has only led for five minutes, they were eager to get it back and Louis White provided that with an 18th minute header, unmarked into the net from a free kick. The crowd had witnessed 5 goals in 18 minutes and could be forgiven to believe that there was much much more to come.

However, both sides began to calm down and keep possession up to the half time whistle. There was still end to end play but with no further alteration to the scoreline.

Marine had a further surprise to their line up as the second half resumed. Felix Goddard was replaced for Richard Cowderoy due to an injury picked up in the opening 45 and Marine began to grow into the game with prolonged possession, improved defensive attributes and playing out wide to the wingers.

As the full time whistle approached, Marine, whilst not content with the 3-2 scoreline, was under threat from several United opportunities, Cowderoy was given work to do including an excellent tip over the bar.

However, Sol was able to score his 8th of the season near the end with an under pressure tap in from a Fin low cut cross across the 6 yard area.

Marine made it five straight wins in all competitions and 11 unbeaten. They are through to the next round of the FA Trophy and will learn their next opponents Monday afternoon.

NEXT UP – Marines mighty form on the road will be well and truly tested as they face National League FC Halifax Town in West Yorkshire this Saturday. A win would give the team entry into the first round proper of the FA Cup.

Marske United Goals

Adam Boyes (5′)

Adam Boyes (15′)

Marine Goals

Finlay Sinclair-Smith (7′)

Sol Solomon (10′)

Louis White (18′)

Sol Solomon (84′)

Marske United: 1 Jaan Yaqub, 2 Josh MacDonald, 3 Curtis Round, 4 Lewis Leech, 5 Dan Myers, 6 Ben Beals, 7 Nathan Thomas (Donald Chimalilo 83′), 8 Jason Kennedy, 9 Adam Boyes, 10 Nathan Dale (Edward Church 63′), 11 Matthew Cornish

Subs: 12 Jake Hackett, 14 Donald Chimalilo, 15 Edward Church, 16 Tyrone O’Neill, 19 lan Clark

Marine: 1 Felix Goddard (Richard Cowderoy 48′), 2 Joseph Ferguson, 3 Michael Carberry, 4 Jordan Lussey, 5 Chris Doyle, 6 Willem Tomlinson (Toby Jones 83′), 7 Finlay Sinclair-Smith, 8 Louis White, 9 Will Russ, 10 Sol Solomon (Darius Osei 86′), 11 Kyle Hayde

Attendance 252

Man of the Match – Sol Solomon