Recap

Benjamin Hanlon-Green reports from The Silverlands…

It was a Monday bank holiday to remember for Marine as they put to bed their three consecutive defeats courtesy of a BradHolmes brace. Marine arrived in Derbyshire well backed by many Marine fans who made the journey to Derbyshire hoping to earn a first win in the National League North.

As the referee’s whistle blew signalling play for the first half it was Marine who began strongest, quickly earning a corner, with James Butler able to rise highest but unable to control his header which sailed over the crossbar. It was a heart in mouths moment for Marine as a teasing ball was allowed to be played across the 6 yard area but was eventually cleared
away.

The next major chance of the game resulted in Marine’s first goal of the game after a Finley Sinclair-Smith free kick managing to find Holmes who was able to stick a leg out and send the Marine fans into ecstasy, who prior to the opening goal which broke the deadlock had made their voices well and truly heard and did so until the referee’s final whistle.

Following the opening goal it was Buxton who carried the most attacking threat but were unable to score the equalising goal thanks to a great low diving save from Luke Hutchinson.

Just before the ending of play for the first half, Marine took the driving seat for the game and were able to double their lead, following a James Butler header which was cleared off the line only to be headed in by an emphatic header by Holmes, with his effort rising above the entire Buxton defence into the bottom right corner.

If Buxton were to have any chance of salvaging anything from the game after two clinically taken chances by Holmes, they would have to start the second half with attacking intent and they did just so. Half time substitute DJ Pedro scored within just two minutes, scoring an excellent curling effort with his right foot from the edge of the box, beating Hutchinson to the
right of his net.

Whilst Buxton continued to search for an equaliser, the Marine defence remained unfazed and were able to withstand Buxton’s added pressure towards them, with Hutchinson not being forced into many saves.

The same could be said for the Buxton keeper, who was rarely called into action as Marine aimed to hold onto all three points, putting into some very noticeably strong defensive performances, particularly Chris Doyle and James Butler, the two Marine centre backs able to head or clear nearly any ball which entered the Marine penalty area.

Towards the latter stages of the second half, Marine had multiple chances to consolidate their goal advantage, with Owen Robinson and Jack Goodwin having chances in the Buxton penalty area but were unable to dispatch their efforts into the Buxton goal.

As the referee blew his full time whistle, Marine were able to breathe a sigh of relief, after a very hard fought win against a
strong Buxton side.

Marine: 1 Luke Hutchinson, 4 Leigh Whelan (18. Regan Griffiths 68), 5 Chris Doyle (C), 6 James Butler, 10 Owen Robinson, 11
Kallan Murphy (7. Adam Thomas 68), 14 Brad Holmes (12. Jack Goodwin 74), 15 Alex McNally (2. Scott Butler 80), 16 Kristi Montgomery, 20 Fin Sinclair-Smith (3. Matty Waters 61), 22 Joe
Mattock.

Buxton: 1 True Grant, 3 Josh Williams, 5 Josh Granite (C), 7 Jack Stobbs (19. Samuel Tomlinson 69),8 Connor Kirby, 10 Tom Elliott, 14 Ben Sault (11. Djavan Pedro 45),15 Will Trueman (22. Liam Ravenhill 61), 17 Ethan Fitzhugh (2. Dermi Lusala 45), 23 Josh Popoola, 27 Kieran Burton

Unused substitutes: 4 Callum Leigh

Attendance:826