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Full Time

Recap

Match report by Adam Yates

Marine 1 (Gregson 14′)

Oxford City 1 (Stretton 90+3)

 Team line-ups:

Marine (4-5-1): Hutchinson; Waters, James Butler, Atcheson, Scott Butler; Griffiths, Whelan (Goodwin 68′); Thomas (Murphy 74′), Gregson, Robinson; Holmes.

Subs not used: Doyle, McNally, Koehler.

Oxford City (4-5-1): Mckenzie-Lyle; Burley, Jones, Siddik (Kpekawa 72′), Coyle; Ashby, McEachran (Andrews 72′), Potter (Roddy 62′), Carbon, Stretton; Parker

Subs not used: Fleet, Daniel.

 

Half time: Marine 1-0 Oxford City

Referee: Alexander Beckett

Star man: Regan Griffiths (Marine, Midfielder)

Attendance: 1363

Marine endured acute heartbreak as their inaugural National League fixture ended in a 1-1 home draw with an injury time equaliser for Oxford City.

The Crosby crowd had already started to celebrate three crucial points when the narrative shifted dramatically and brought the Marine Travel Arena into abrupt silence.

The game started quickly for both sides who were looking to make an early mark on proceedings and it was Marine who drew first blood.

A short corner ball found its way to the feet of midfielder Harvey Gregson who drove his effort towards goal. A deflection (or two) seemed to stump City keeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle and the ball made it stubbornly over the line.

The announcement of Regan Griffiths as match day captain took some of the home fans by surprise but the recently acquired midfielder has experience at this level and he proved it with assured positioning, calmness and a stable anchor in the centre of play.

Oxford piled on the pressure, notable from recent academy recruit, Jayden Carbon and established striker, Captain Josh Parker but Marine survived well under duress to quell the Hoops attacks.

One such attack looked to be an equaliser from Zac McEachran but recently acquired Blackburn loanee, Tom Atcheson was in the right place at the right time, clearing from the 6 yard box.

In the second half, continuous play was unbecoming with various stops in play due to injury treatment and multiple substitutions. Minutes ticked by for the Mariners who could smell three points on the horizon.

Jack Goodwin was brought on (formerly of Prescot Cables) and immediately gave Oxford concern on the left wing as he used his speed and quick feet to trouble the penalty box. Marines best effort came from the youngster but his curling shot passed the far post with ten minutes remaining.

City began to get behind Marine’s well drilled defence and keeper Luke Hutchinson was called into action twice in a matter of seconds parrying shots from the Oxford front line.

As the final of the four added minutes of injury time approached, Marine were blindsided. Brad Stretton found a way through via a Lewis Coyle corner. A goal mouth scramble ensued and Stretton was able to poke home.

Prior to today, the Mariners had only lost once at home in 2024 whereas Oxford had yet to win away from home and both of those records remained intact as referee Alex Beckett blew the final whistle.

Marine manger Neil Young was pleased with his team’s efforts throughout the game. ‘We knew we up against a very good side…we stayed in our shape, our game plan and up until the last minute they done everything that I asked of them. We’re obviously disappointed, it feels like a loss, but that’s football.’

Both teams will come away pleased with their work rate and overall performance but Marine will undoubtedly feel it was two points lost rather than one gained.

Next Up…

Marine face one of the league favourites on their turf in what is one of the most anticipated awaydays of the season as they travel to Scunthorpe United.

Ground

The Marine Travel Arena
College Rd, Crosby, Liverpool, England, L23 3AS, United Kingdom