Recap

Tom Murphy reports from Mill Street…

Marine suffered defeat in their final game of 2023 at the hands of Basford United. 

In a game with plenty of stoppages and debatable decisions, the home side left with all three points over the Merseysiders. 

Goals from Kieran Fenton and Nathan Tyson were enough to see The Ambers overcome the away side. 

Despite a late surge and a goal from Jonny Spittle, Neil Young’s team were unable to claw back the deficit that was in front of them. 

The first half was littered with stoppages which ultimately didn’t allow Marine to create any real chances and push forward enough to pose a threat. 

Centre half Chris Doyle was forced off the field after half an hour due to injury, Marine’s eventual goal scorer, Spittle, replaced him. 

Basford’s first came minutes later from a Fenton free kick on the edge of the area. The number six calmly placed the ball over the wall and into the far right corner past Luke Hutchinson who could not get near it. 

Basford came out the blocks quickly in the second half and almost added an immediate second. Campbell’s powerful effort inside the penalty area was smashed over the bar just two minutes after the restart. 

Hutchinson, who was unaware of the flag going up,  was then called into action and pulled off an outstanding save to deny an effort from close range. 

The big talking point in the game came in the 55th minute when Ferguson, who had ran the whole length of the pitch to reach the penalty area, was brought down in the box. Referee Haydn Lavender didn’t see it as a foul and play went on. 

Basford immediately ran up the other end and Tyson calmly finished off a lethal counter attack. 

Marine responded positively, pushing up the field more and beginning to get on the front foot. Frustratingly, plenty of chances were missed. 

The Mariners did eventually grab a goal after 73 minutes. Louis White’s gorgeous delivery found the head of substitute Spittle, whose looping header nestled in the back of the net. 

Chances flooded for Marine in the remainder of the encounter with Fin Sinclair Smith striking the outside of the post being the highlight of the latter opportunities. 

Despite the late surge, Marine were unable to find another goal and left Basford empty handed. 

Focus now turns to a triple header at the MTA, starting with Hyde United at the start of the new year. 

Basford United: 1 Kieran Preston ,2 Dominic Roma, 3 Henri Wilder, 4 Jack Lewis, 5 Mason Frizelle, 6 Kieran Fenton, 7 Toby Ritzema, 8 Jack Thomas, 9 Remaye Campbell, 10 Revarnelle James, 11 Nathan Tyson (Jonathan Wafula 68′)

Unused Subs: 12 Owen Betts, 14 Joshua Barnes,15 Micah Tomlin, 16 Harry Goddard. 

Marine: 1 Luke Hutchinson, 2 Joseph Ferguson, 3 Nathan Woodthorpe , 4 Jalil Saadi, 5 Chris Doyle (Jonathan Spittle 29), 6 Josh Wardle, 7 Finlay Sinclair-Smith, 8 Louis White, 9 Connor Evans,10 Manasse Mampala, 11 Owen Robinson (Jordan Lussey 70′)

Unused Subs: 12 Harvey Gregson, 13 Richard Cowderoy, 15 Liam Nolan. 

Northern Premier League – Premier Division

Saturday 30th December 2023

Kick-off: 1pm

Referee: Haydn Lavender

Attendance: 494