Marine 1-4 Basford United

Mariners suffer heavy home defeat...

Report by Ste Carson

Marine, captained by Craig Carney, fell 4-1 to Basford United at the Marine Travel Arena after a shambles of a second half performance by the home side.

Basford scored the first goal of the game in the 6th minute through a headed effort by Kieran Fenton, he was afforded the opportunity by a poorly defended corner.

The Mariners crept into the game as time went on and throughout the first 45 minutes James Murray was clearly the Mariners’ brightest spark.

Craig Carney made it two goals in two appearances at home this season with a powerful effort from the edge of the box to level the score-line nine minutes from half-time.

Marine started the second half very brightly, Basford seemingly changed their formation five minutes into the half, bringing on Lewis Carr for Harry Wakefield and playing three at the back.

The change of formation allowed Liam Bateman and Ellis Storey more freedom to ruin Marine’s afternoon and, against the run of play, Nathan Watson restored Basford’s lead in the 63rd minute.

Watson struck again a few minutes later to make it 3-1. Danny Mitchley did come on for Marine with 20 minutes left but there was little he could do to turn the game around.

Courey Grantham grabbed Basford’s fourth goal of the game ten minutes from time to make it 4-1.

MARINE: FEARON, SHAW, SHORT, COYNE, DOYLE, STRICKLAND, MURRAY (READY 71’), CARNEY, HINE (MITCHLEY 68’), REID, KINSELLA (JOYCE 59’).

Unused subs: DONALDSON, MENDES.

AWAY TEAM: PRESTON, BATEMAN, STOREY, THORNHILL, FENTON, ROMA, TEMPEST, GRANTHAM, WATSON (BELL-TOXTLE 80’), WAKEFIELD (CARR 52’), REID (THOMAS 76’).

Unused subs: AUSTIN, LEWIS.

ATTENDANCE: 311