The sun shone brightly as 1,282 fans (Marine’s biggest gate of the season) gathered for what promised to be a competitive, mouthwatering match between two of the best teams in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Unfortunately, Marine used the occasion to produce their worst performance of the season against an impressive FC United of Manchester outfit that included the familiar names of Neville and Giggs in their squad.

After a quiet opening FC United almost opened the scoring when Cottrell put in a dangerous low pass across the six yard line to Tom Greaves who saw his shot parried away for a corner.

Marine took the risk of fielding three debutants and could ill afford to see their main striker, Nick Rogan, limp off after just ten minutes. His replacement, Liam Rice, however soon fired a right footed volley over the bar from 18 yards.

The first goal came after 20 minutes as Dave Birch danced through Marine’s static defence before finding Tom Greaves who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Birch was booked two minutes later for an over zealous challenge and from the resultant free kick Danny Grannon attempted an ambitious overhead kick which cleared the crossbar.

Marine were struggling to hold on to the ball and a defensive error on the half hour mark saw Greaves intercept and side step before firing firmly past McMahon to double the lead. This was the cue for smoke flares and fireworks off the pitch. Unfortunately it did not inspire the Mariners.

John Shaw produced Marine’s best move of the half when cutting inside from the left, he exchanged passes with Michael Ordish before firing a low shot which was well saved by Spencer.

United’s Mike Norton latched onto a pass down the right but his shot was intercepted by the calm and impressive Bohan Dixon. Shortly afterwards Norton tried to claim a penalty as he went down rather too easily under challenge from keeper McMahon.

Any hopes of a Marine fight back after the break were quickly extinguished. Slapstick defending by Marine saw Jerome Wright gifted the ball with the goal gaping but Grannon eventually cleared.

It was, however, only a temporary respite. Wolfenden’s volley hit the post and the ball rebounded invitingly for Greaves to stroke home his hat trick. The game was effectively over after just 55 minutes.

Marine hardly threatened although the industrious Robbie Lawton charged down the keeper’s clearance only to see the ball hit the post as the referee blew for hand ball. Liam Rice also volleyed from the edge of the area but it hardly troubled the keeper.

United’s Tierney and Wright continued to threaten the Marine defence with wriggling runs into the penalty area. The scoreline could have been worse for Marine but for the calm reassurance of Bohan Dixon.

On this evidence FC United looked like a team that would be very comfortable playing at a higher level. Marine, however, were disorganised and bereft of ideas.

Attendance – 1,282.

Referee: Chris Isherwood (Leyland)
Assistants: (Red) James Morgan (Wigan) Yellow Nigel Usher (Skelmersdale)

Marine Team
Ryan McMahon (capt), Michael Girvan (Shaun Dowling), John Shaw, Bohan Dixon, Danny Grannon, Robbie Lawton, Matthew Harris (Matty Devine), Jonathan Goulding, Will Jones, Nick Rogan (Liam Rice), Michael Ordish.
Unused Substitutes: Alan Burton, Callum Williams.

F.C. United Team
James Spencer, Kyle Jacobs (capt), Jake Cottrell, Dave Birch, Lee Neville, Dean Stott, Matthew Wolfenden, Matthew Tierney (Scott Cheetham), Mike Norton (Rhodri Giggs), Jerome Wright, Tom Greaves (Greg Daniels).
Unused Substitutes: Astley Mulholland, Lewis Lacy.