Marine 1-0 Stafford Rangers: Match Report

The Mariners dominated in waves on Tuesday night in Crosby but Stafford held their own, almost taking a late lead, but Martin Fearon denied them and Craig Carney struck a late penalty to take all the points.

Marine beat Stafford Rangers 1-0 in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division on a chilly Tuesday night in Crosby.

The Mariners started brightly and their flurry of chances in the first half hour clearly shook up Rangers’ Adam Whitehouse but the hosts didn’t capitalise on their opportunities.

Stafford were afforded a few chances of their own after settling into the game but, like Marine, they couldn’t find the net.

Steven Irwin found himself down under the floodlights just before half-time following a collision with a Stafford player in what was the last event of the first half.

Rangers continued to impose on the hosts in the second half but neither set of lads were able to convert any chances into goals.

Martin Fearon saved Marine in the 80th minute by refusing to be beaten by a Kyle Perry penalty.

With only a minute left on the clock, Marine were awarded a penalty of their own after Danny Mitchley appeared to be elbowed. Craig Carney converted the spot-kick with a powerful effort into the roof of the net.

Credit simply has to fall on the shoulders of Neil Young who took the pressure off Mitchley by telling Carney to take the penalty after the skipper failed to convert the last couple he’s taken.

A positive for the Mariners can be found in Finlay Sinclair-Smith who impressed and was arguably his team’s brightest spark.

STAR MAN: Martin Fearon

ENTERTAINMENT: 3/5

MARINE: FEARON, STRICKLAND, SHORT, SHAW, DOYLE, HYNES (MURRAY 82’), SINCLAIR-SMITH (DAVIES 90’), IRWIN (JOYCE 88’), MITCHLEY, HINE, CARNEY.

STAFFORD: WHITEHOUSE, BANKS, HOLGATE, JONES, COULSON, MARSHALL, ADAMS, THORLEY, PERRY, B. JONES (BRISCOE 63’), SHERRATT (GREEN 69’).

GOALS: CARNEY (90’)

YELLOW CARDS: CARNEY (40’)

RED CARDS:

ATTENDANCE: 289