Adam Yates reports from a jubilant Marine Travel Arena as the Mariners won the Liverpool Senior Cup for the second year in a row with a 2-0 win over local rivals, City of Liverpool FC.

it is the first time in Marine’s history that they have retained the local title and it is yet another highlight to what has been (and still could be) one of the club’s most illustrious seasons to date.

Goals from Finlay Sinclair-Smith and Sol Solomon were the difference in a match that had both sets of fans enthralled and gave both sides a test of wills before they enter their respective playoff games next week.

Marine have made a habit this year of scoring early on unsettling their opponents and tonight was no different. Harvey Gregson was brought down in the box by Purps defender Jack Hont and the referee didn’t hesitate to offer the LilyWhites an early penalty. Top goalscorer (and recent Marine Player of the year winner) Sinclair-Smith calmly slotted the ball in the left hand corner in the 7th minute of play.

City of Liverpool took their time to get into the game after the early setback but confidence in the visitors grew and soon, chances in the box appeared but to no avail. A penalty shout was waved away and Elliot Morris twice had the ball in the net but was given offside on both occasions, with the second decision in particular looking a close call for debate depending on who you ask.

Meanwhile, the Mariners attack had chances to double their lead before the break. Bobby Grant was unable to convert two big opportunities in front of goal as he looked to add to his 12 goal tally he has acquired in a three month period with the Mariners.

The second half was a tighter affair with stop/start momentum due to injuries and game management from both dugouts looking to affect the overall outcome.

Josh Quarless had a chance that went high and wide before being replaced and Morris continued to be dangerous in front of a Marine defence who have not conceded in their last 4 games.

it was in the 80th minute that the result looked to be assured and Sol Solomon was the man of the hour. Sol felt he was fouled in the box but as the referee disagreed, Solomon gingerly got up to his feet and got back into an onside position just in time for an Owen Robinson cross. On the volley, the Jersey boy took his chance and the ball first bounced on the turf and then passed the Purps keeper (and former Mariner, Calvin Hare) to double Marine’s lead.

The rest of the game played out with half chances for Marine but they had done enough and despite a spirited COLFC performance, the quality was unmatched to that of Captain Josh Wardle and his team.

Josh led his squad to the home stand for the trophy presentation in front of a near 1900 crowd (the second biggest this season after Harrogate in the FA Cup) and many happy memories were imprinted forever as the skipper lifted the cup.

Next Up – Marine already know their playoff opponents in Rylands but the venue is up for grabs and Neil Young will be desperate to bring the semi final to Crosby. To accomplish this, they must equal or better Warrington’s result on Saturday but Ashton United have aspirations of their own to continue their journey.

Marine: 1 Bobby Jones, 2 Scott Butler, 3 Matty Waters, 4 Harvey Gregson, 5 Chris Doyle, 6 Josh Wardle, 7 Finlay Sinclair-Smith (Louis White 68′), 8 Jon Routledge (Liam Nolan 68′), 9 Bobby Grant, 10 Sol Solomon, 11 Owen Robinson

Subs: 12 Owen Windsor, 13 Richard Cowderoy, 14 Liam Nolan, 15 Louis White, 16 Manasse Mampala

City of Liverpool: 1 Calvin Hare, 2 Michael Simpson, 3 Jack Hont, 4 Kenny Strickland, 5 Adam Rooney, 6 Simon Wills (Luke Byron 84′), 7 Elliot Morris (Jawad Jebrin 60′), 8 Ismail Sonko, 9 Josh Quarless (Danny Mitchley 65′), 10 Max Allen (Michael Grogan 77′), 11 Xenon Bahula (Ethan Jones 66′)

Subs: 12 Luke Byron, 14 Michael Grogan, 15 Danny Mitchley, 16 Jawad Jebrin, 17 Ethan Jones, 20 Ibrahim Conteh, 22 Thomas McNally

Liverpool County FA Senior Cup Final

Tuesday 23rd April 2024

The Marine Travel Arena

Attendance: 1,898

Man of the Match – Josh Wardle