Amid a carnival atmosphere Marine gradually took charge of the first half with a confident display. Neil Harvey latched on to a loose ball and volleyed over after six minutes. Shortly afterwards from a Latham corner Harvey’s header beat the static United defence but hit the frame before bouncing down as half-hearted claims for a goal were swiftly rejected by the well placed official.

After 13 minutes Harvey headed on to Aaron Rey who neared the goal before blasting over from edge of the area. Former Mariner, Stephen Johnson, was greeted with a welcome back tackle from John Shaw before Carlos Roca hit the wall from the resultant free kick.

United’s impressive skipper, Kyle Jacobs, enjoyed a couple of forays down the right wing and Roca’s dangerous looking corner after 17 minutes flew across the face of the Marine goal but eluded everyone. Sam Barnes disposessed Mike Norton as he shaped to shoot on the edge of the area and a deep cross from the left by Battersby found Norton who guided his header across goal and comfortably beyond the far post.

The breakthrough came after 27 minutes when Marine’s Robbie Lawton flighted a free kick from near the halfway line finding Jonathan Goulding with time and space to deftly control the ball before lashing home beyond the defenceless Spencer.

After 40 minutes Jacobs overlapped again down the right before crossing to Adam Jones who’s header went narrowly wide. This combination would ultimately cause Marine’s downfall.

Marine’s central defenders, John Shaw and Sam Barnes, were so dominant in the first half that despite FC United’s attractive passing game their attacks carried as much bite as a spinachless Popeye without his dentures. The heavy reliance on the talented Carlos Roca to take all corners and free kicks was proving ineffective whereas Marine seemed more fluent and created better chances. However, this was all to change in the second half.

Within 4 minutes of the restart the home crowd was treated to a cameo of Neil Harvey’s amazing dribbling skills as he weaved his way comically around three bemused defenders before crossing just beyond the advancing Fowler.

That, however, was as good as it got for Marine. United improved their service to striker Mike Norton and in the 53rd minute, immediately after a penalty appeal was denied, Norton picked himself up to deliver a deliciously weighted, defence splitting pass to Matthew Wolfenden who stroked the ball home with aplomb.

The goal galvanised United and forced Marine into a more defensive approach. Norton fired over from the edge of the area before Goulding responded for Marine with a volley from Latham’s cross. On 68 minutes United came close as Cottrell and Johnson combined well down the left forcing a corner which was subsequently cleared off the line by substitute Liam Dawson. Shortly beforehand, Aaron Rey had drawn a comfortable save from Spencer.

Marine keeper Callum Williams had a momentary lapse of concentration when he came out to punch a floated free kick but found his penalty area more crowded than the London Underground during peak – the danger ultimately being cleared.

Marine came close to equalising on 77 minutes when Harvey, looking suspiciously offside, hit a left footed volley into the arms of a grateful Spencer.

Marine’s man of the match Jonathan Goulding continued his quest to comb every blade of grass whilst displaying the combative art of the lesser spotted slide tackle. Despite covering more miles than a New York cabbie he was destined to be on the losing side.

In the 89th minute a Jacobs’ free kick from the right found the unmarked Adam Jones who headed home from close range to seal a hard earned win for the visitors. They almost increased the lead in stoppage time when a good interchange of passes involving Norton, Mulholland and Platt ended with Platt’s fierce shot blazing narrowly over.

At the final whistle the jubilant horde of F.C. United fans, who had chanted incessantly and impressively throughout the game, celebrated as their pitchside heroes paraded in front of them. At the same time dejected Mariners, after a generous salute to their own local heroes, began to trudge away casting a furtive glance over their shoulders perhaps believing that “…our day will come!”

Marine Team
1 Callum Williams, 2 Joe Fowler, 3 Louis Barnes, 4 John Shaw, 5 Sam Barnes, 6 Robbie Lawton, 7 Paul Brown (65 Paul Lundon), 8 Jonathan Goulding, 9 Aaron Rey (82 Thomas Moore), 10 Neil Harvey (Capt), 11 Ian Latham (65 Liam Dawson).
Unused subs 16 Darren Byers, 17 Liam Duff.

F.C. United of Manchester Team
1 James Spencer, 2 Kyle Jacobs (Capt), 3 Richard Battersby, 4 Jake Cottrell, 5 Adam Jones, 6 Greg Stones, 7 Carlos Roca (16 Astley Mulholland 70), 8 Matthew Wolfenden (12 Nicky Platt 90+1), 9 Mike Norton, 10 Dean Stott, 11 Stephen Johnson.
Unused Subs 14 Daniel Grimshaw, 15 Danny Warrender, 17 Scott Cheetham.

Attendance 1,111

Officials: Referee Daniel Meeson; Assistant Referees (red) Neil Hanley, (yellow) Jonathan Broadhurst.

Bookings: Marine – Sam Barnes, Liam Dawson. F.C. United – Adam Jones.

Match Sponsors: Cartmel Bridging Ltd.

Matchball Sponsor: Graham Gibson

50/50 Prize Draw winning number 7277 worth £50.