Recap

Tom Murphy reports…

Leaders Radcliffe were victorious at the Neuven in horrible conditions in Greater Manchester. 

The Mariners came into the game in decent form and off the back of a triumphant 4-0 victory against Everton in the Liverpool Senior Cup. 

Radcliffe, who are sitting pretty at the top of the league, managed to score a 100th minute equaliser on Tuesday night against Atherton Collieries. 

Marine got off to the dream start after Owen Robinson smashed home his third in four games after 13 minutes. 

Radcliffe responded with great intent and equalised 11 minutes later thanks to Ewan Bange. 

The home side continued to put Marine’s back line under immense pressure and later added a second and third thanks to Jordan Hulme and former Mariner Willem Tomlinson. 

A shell shocked Marine team struggled to create any chances in the remainder of the first period. A save to his left from Mateusz Hewelt to deny Sol Solomon was the closest Neil Young’s side came to grabbing one back. 

An interference in play due to an injury to referee Abid Hussain concluded a half of high intensity. The man in charge was forced to leave the field with assistant Jordan Tindall taking the reigns. 

The rain continued to pour down during half time and through the second half which made things more difficult for both sides. 

Proceedings were worsened for Marine when Sol Solomon was forced to leave the field after 50 minutes.  A nasty landing concluded a powerful challenge from Tomlinson in the final third. 

Bobby Grant thought he had grabbed one back for his side, only to see it ruled out by the linesman’s flag. 

Sinclair Smith did then score a second for Neil Young’s side after a deflected Harvey Gregson cross fell to the number seven, who placed it calmly into the foot of the net. 

Marine continued to attempt to work the ball forward but with an increasingly drenched and muddy surface, a handful of opportunities sizzled out. 

The MTA hosts Marine’s next fixture against Bradford PA next Saturday, where they will look to bounce back after defeat in Greater Manchester.

Radcliffe: 1 Mateusz Hewelt , 2 Brad Jackson, 18 Willem Tomlinson, 4 Lois Maynard, 5 Olly Thornley, 6 Rick Smith, 7 Matt Sargent, 8 Nicky Adams (Josh Hancock 85′), 9 Jordan Hulme, 10 Ewan Bange (Scott Duxbury 56′), 11 Jude Oyibo

Unused Subs:14 George Mercer, 15 Anthony Dudley, 17 Sean Tse. 

Marine: 1 Luke Hutchinson, 2 Scott Butler, 3 Matty Waters (Freddie Sass 66′), 4 Harvey Gregson, 5 Chris Doyle, 6 Josh Wardle, 7 Finlay Sinclair-Smith, 8 Louis White (Liam Nolan 55′), 9 Bobby Grant, 10 Sol Solomon (Owen Windsor 55), 11 Owen Robinson

Unused Subs: 12 Jon Routledge, 17 Tom Pratt. 

Northern Premier League – Premier Division

Saturday 17th February 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

Neuven Stadium 

Marine Man of the Match: Finlay Sinclair Smith