Recap

Tom Murphy reports from Giant Axe…

Goals from Bobby Grant and Sol Solomon were enough to ease off Lancaster City away from home. 

Marine now rise to third in the table after they were victorious in Lancashire.

Lots of chances went begging for Marine in the first half and they became increasingly frustrated in front of goal. 

Sinclair Smith saw several efforts come close but none of them were able to punish goalkeeper Tom Stewart. 

Harvey Gregson came closest for his side after half an hour, a glancing header looped just past the right hand side post leaving Stewart stranded in the Lancaster net. 

The second half was not too dissimilar from the first, with Marine missing plenty of great chances in the early stages since the restart. 

With frustrations continuing to rise, Grant missed a brilliant opportunity to tap his side ahead after 61 minutes. 

The forward was played in beautifully but was unable to find the back of the net and he placed the ball wide. 

It didn’t take long for Grant to redeem himself after his miss. Owen Windsor made an instant impact off the bench to find the number nine at the back post, who finished nicely to give the Mariners the lead. 

Sol Solomon then returned to the score sheet for the first time since a one all draw away to Ilkeston. 

The number 10 finished coolly after a mixup at the back from Lancaster and Marine had an all important two goal advantage. 

Lancaster rarely posed a threat going forward which was mainly down to the super performances at the back from Josh Wardle and his fellow defenders. 

A late penalty awarded to Lancaster was saved superbly by Bobby Jones who denied Sam Bailey from the spot to maintain a clean sheet as well as all three points. 

Neil Young’s men now prepare for a double header next Easter weekend where they travel to Matlock Town next Saturday, before a visit to Warrington the following Monday. 

Lancaster City: 1 Tom Stewart, 2 Samuel Bailey, 3 Kyle Brownhill, 4 Christian Sloan (Paul Jarvis 81’), 18 Charlie Barnes, 6 Niall Cowperthwaite, 7 Nic Evangelinos, 8 Bradley Carroll, 9 Dominic Lawson, 10 Thomas Kilifin (Jake Connelly 67′), 11 Tyler Hill (Jamie Mellen 81′). 

Unused Subs: None

Marine: 1 Bobby Jones, 2 Scott Butler, 3 Freddie Sass, 4 Harvey Gregson, 5 Chris Doyle, 6 Josh Wardle, 7 Finlay Sinclair-Smith (Owen Windsor 61′), 8 Jack Bainbridge, 9 Bobby Grant, 10 Sol Solomon  (Matty Waters 84), 11 Owen Robinson (Louis White 79′)

Unused Subs: 15 Jon Routledge, 16 Liam Nolan. 

Northern Premier League – Premier Division

Saturday 23rd March 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Glen Hart

Attendance 1,010

Marine Man of the Match: Josh Wardle