Marine put in a five star performance in Lancashire yesterday (Saturday 11 November) as they brushed aside Atherton Collieries with a 5-1 win to progress to the FA Trophy third qualifying round.
Captain Danny Mitchley bagged two goals – both composed finishes, James Murray capped an electric second half performance with two well-taken goals and ex-Colls man Vinny Bailey excelled throughout the game to score one and assist three.
It was an excellent all-round performance from the Mariners on a bright but chilly day at the Kensite Stadium in Greater Manchester.
Both teams were coming to contest off the back of defeats – Marine 3-0 away to Lancaster while Atherton were licking their wounds after a 4-1 home thrashing by Bamber Bridge.
It was a strong starting line-up for Marine up against the Colls from the league below (Evo Stik Division One) playing on a pitch with a well-defined slope.
It was an even contest in the first half with some full-blooded tackles going in but Michael Brewster in particular stood firm in the middle of the park and Bailey covered lots of ground across the pitch.
The Mariners drew first blood with an excellent finish from Mitchley with just eight minutes on the clock. After some great work by Bailey down the right Mitchley took his chance well and drilled it home.
Marine continued to press forward with a Mitchley chip sailing just over and a lovely cross from Murray drilled across goal.
But it was Atherton who then applied some pressure with a series of corners that resulted in Lynch bundling the ball home. Just prior to this the Colls had an effort ruled out for offside.
It was all square as the half-time whistle blew but it felt like there were more goals to come. The Mariners were looking lively and the central pairing of Adam Hughes and Kenny Strickland looking strong.
Murray provided an explosive start to the second half with a beautifully taken header to put Marine 2-1 ahead after 48 minutes. Florian Da Silva terrorised the Atherton right back throughout the second half and shortly after had a great chance from a pin point assist from Brewster.
On the hour mark the floodgates opened. Mitchley got his second of the game with another cool and composed finish from a Bailey through ball to put Marine up 3-1.
With 25 minutes to go James Edgar came on for James Short in what was a straight swap at left back.
Marine looked firmly in control and Bailey capped a brilliant performance with a well taken goal to put Marine ahead by 4-1.
Then the icing on the cake. As the Marine fans formed a conga line James Murray controlled the ball with his left boot before volleying home to settle the contest at 5-1. It was no more than the Mariners deserved as they showed the gulf in class between the teams in the second half.
As manager Tommy Lawson said after the game it was a great team performance and it wouldn’t have been fair to single one player out for praise.
Watch our post-match interview with Tommy
Marine now go into the draw for the FA Trophy third qualifying round which will take place on Monday with the fixture due to take place on Saturday 25 November.
The Mariners return to league action on Saturday in an important clash against Halesowen who drew 0-0 with Shaw Lane yesterday.
Marine: Martin Fearon, Peter Wylie, James Short (James Edgar 65), Kenny Strickland, Adam Hughes, Billy Smart, James Murray, Michael Brewster, Danny Mitchley (c), Florian Da Silva, Vinny Bailey
Subs not used: George Lomax, Liam Tongue, Michael Grogan, George Hassall
Atherton Collieries: Adam Reid, Kristian Holt, Gareth Peet, Danny Lafferty, Christopher Lynch, Darrhyl Mason, Joshua Messer, Ryan Salmon, Iain Howard, Ben Hardcastle
Subs: Jordan Cover, Ashley Woods, Jamie Forbes, Glenn Matthews, Jake Kenny
Referee: Mr L Raper
Assistants: Mr K Johnson and Mr P Naughton