Recap

Adam Yates reports from the MTA as Marine treated a bumper home crowd to a 5-1 romp over M62 rivals FC United last night.

Before the goals flowed, Marine had to ensure an prolonged opening period of United pressure with FC’s Elliott Morris and Cheikh Thiam providing chances but on loan GK Felix Goddard was on duty to confidently prevent the scoreline.

It was in the 15th minute that brought the game to life as a United pass from the back fell into the lap of Finlay Sinclair Smith who burst into the centre field and shot from range outside the area, low and away past the keeper.

3 minutes later, it was the turn of Manasse Mampala who made a similar run into midfield. His left footed 40 yard shot cut through the air and powered itself into the top corner of the net to the ectasy of the crowd who feel they may have witnessed a potential goal of the season in mid August.

The third goal from the Crosby outfit came in the 31st minute from a free kick. Louis White swung in a ball from near the corner flag and Chris Doyle rose to connect. The ball dropped into the far side of the net as White and Chris Doyle both celebrated leaving the fans and the officials unsure who provided the goal. Nevertheless, FC United had been stung by a third in just over half an hour.

Not to be outdone by the new recruits, captain Josh Wardle headed home a fourth on the stroke of half time. A Sinclair Smith corner looped over the majority of FC defence and Wardle was on hand at the far post to rise above his marker and cap off 45 minutes of pure Marine joy. As the whistle blew, the main stand rose to emphatically applaud the team as they took a well earned 15 minute break.

As the second half began, United made a triple change and again were starting the better side and they finally broke through on 55 mins with a goal from Elliott Morris. A short corner caught Marine off guard and after two failed attempts to clear, Morris came from the side to slot in successfully in front of their grateful fans who now had something to applaud.

Ten minutes later, it was that same position (just outside the D) that Will Russ found Marine’s fifth. United’s playing from the back led to them losing possession, Sinclair-Smith rushed onto the open ball and the clash of boots threw the ball into the feet of Russ who guided his attempt home from outside the box.

In the 71st and 73rd minutes, the crossbars of both teams were struck but to no avail. For United, it was substitute Declan McLoughlin and for Marine, Josh Wardle. The latter proved to be yet another talking point. Wardle’s header was tipped by the goalie and then FC’s defenders attempted to clear which in turn led to the crossbar challenge. Josh was convinced the ball had crossed the line but the ref and linesman disagreed. Video Replays proved to be inconclusive similar to the third goal.

Marine were in a position to make changes due to the scoreline and gave runouts to Carberry, Osei and Robinson. Of those, Robinson attempted to join the long range gang and try a low shot but it curled agonisingly wide of the post. In the final minutes, Goddard was impressively called into action near the end with multiple shots from United who failed to further alter the scoreline. It ended 5-1 Marine in front of 1467 fans in attendance as they remain unbeaten after 2 Matchdays.

Next up – Home is where the heart is and we host Whitby Town this Saturday at 3pm in another tasty Northern Premier League Clash.

Man of the Match – Fin Sinclair Smith ( 1 goal and two assists)

Marine Team

Goddard, Ferguson, Woodthorpee, Nolan (78′ Robinson), Chris Doyle, Wardle (capt), Sinclair-Smith, White, Russ (82′ Osei), Lussey, Mampala (62′ Carberry).

Unused Subs – Cowderoy (GK), Solomon

FC United Team

Boyes, Thiam, Coulton (45′ Bollardo), Donohue, Oliver`, Palinkas, Morris, Munro (45′ Hall), Cane, Griffiths (45′ McLoughlin), Fitzmartin.

Unused Subs – Barugh, Ennis

Attendance 1467