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Marine 2-0 Frickley Athletic

Dave McMillan21 Mar 2015 - 21:49
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Menagh pauses relegation worries for Mariners at the Arriva...

Match report by Dave McMillan.

Jamie Menagh’s magnificent 28th minute strike sealed all three points for Marine on Saturday, as they beat Frickley Athletic 2-0 in a crunch relegation clash at the Arriva Stadium.

This was a game Sean Hessey’s men simply had to win to cut the gap at the bottom of the table and they did so relatively comfortably, to notch their third win in four games since the defender took charge of team affairs.

Steve Wainwright and Menagh picked a good game to both record their first goal for the club, Wainwright putting the Mariners ahead in the 19th minute with an excellent finish, homing in from the right of the area before thumping a strong shot in to Ben Simpson’s net off the far post.

The Whites had started well with Lewis Codling and Menagh both bringing saves from Simpson early on, with Gavin Allott replying for the Blues when he got behind the defence but couldn’t get any power in to his shot to beat Matt Cooper.

Frickley had strong claims for what looked a clear penalty for James Short’s challenge on Reece Thompson ignored by the officials, a key moment in the game as Wainwright opened the scoring very soon thereafter.

Marine put themselves firmly in control when Menagh added the second, a good move seeing the ball cleared to the flame haired flyer 30 yards from goal who promptly unleashed an Exocet on the half volley which rocketed in to Simpson’s top corner, for a goal to rank amongst the very best seen at the home of Crosby’s finest.

Frickley fought back well and finished the half on top, Matty Bloor sending a drive over the top with Thompson then sending a dangerous ball across the face of goal, Danny South overstretching as he tried to turn the ball past Cooper.

Luke Hinsley came closest to reducing the arrears for the visitors just before the break, his shot on the turn flying over the angle of post and crossbar.

Hinsley had a good chance at the start of the second period, but directed his header off target when well placed in what proved to be the Blues’ last real sight of goal.

Marine might have added further goals as the game wore on, Codling breaking down the right to square to Lloyd Ellams, with the big striker’s shot held away to his right by Simpson.

Ellams brought a good save from Simpson with a strong drive after another quick break, the gloveman deflecting the ball behind for a corner.

Debutant Andy Owens had the ball in the Frickley net late on, but was flagged offside before the Mariners saw out time to claim a vital win.

Marine: Matt Cooper, Steve Wainwright, James Short, Liam Willis, James Foley (Dan Fearnehough 89), Andy Nicholas (Cap), Lloyd Ellams, Karl Clair, Andy Owens, Jamie Menagh, Lewis Codling.

Unused subs: Tom Owens, Chad Whyte, Christian Langos, James Mitchison (G/K). Cautions: None.

Frickley Athletic: Ben Simpson, Jake Stannard, Luke Jeffs (Luke Hornsey 51), Bobby Johnson, John Cyrus, Jameel Ible, Luke Hinsley, Matthew Bloor (Cap), Reece Thompson, Gavin Allott (Bradley Riley 75), Danny South.

Unused subs: Chris Salt, Macauley Parkinson, Sam Leigh. Cautions: Cyrus.

Referee: Mr. Barry Lamb (Manchester); Mr. Slawomir Osiadacz (Manchester), Mr. Daniel Scott (Manchester).

Attendance: 364.

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