Marine 1-4 Whitby Town

Marine slumped to a second consecutive 1-4 reverse as play-off hopefuls Whitby Town secured a comfortable victory in Crosby. Kurt Sherlock returned from suspension to replace the injured Danny Mitchley in the only change to Manager Sean Hessey's starting eleven from last week's defeat at Nantwich Town.

The visitors made the dream start in just the 2nd minute as skipper Snaith's shot from a narrow angle beat Calvin Hare but not his left-hand post, however the rebound fell kindly for David Carson to net from six yards out.

Snaith scented a second just three minutes later as he took the ball wide of Hare but saw his shot blocked behind by Adam Hughes' timely intervention. The subsequent corner from the Whitby left was met by centre-back Bythway whose header flew a couple of feet wide of target.

The Yorkshire outfit continued to boss the opening period and it wasn't until the 23rd minute that the Mariners managed to threaten the Whitby goal. Zac Thompson's free-kick from wide on the left was punched over his own bar by Blues custodian Bland, and from Thompson's resultant corner Matty Hamilton's near-post flick was scrambled clear by a combination of Bland and his defence.

The lively Snaith then surged into the Marine area once more but another attempt from a narrow angle was blocked by Mike Grogan and the danger was averted.

Four minutes before the break Snaith held up play well and played the ball back for Carson whose teasing cross brought a diving catch from Hare. Town pressed forward once more and a free-kick from their left reached Tymon, the ex-Workington striker heading high over Hare's crossbar under pressure from Hughes.

As the half drew to a close the Mariners fed Sherlock just outside the Whitby box but as a blue-shirted defender challenged Sherlock sent his shot harmlessly high and wide.

Having largely controlled the first half the Seasiders doubled their advantage eight minutes into the second, as McWilliams' cross found Tymon unmarked six yards out to plant a diving header past Hare.

Hughes then looked to galvanise his side as he picked up possession inside his own half before embarking on a run which took him deep into Whitby territory, the young centre-back digging out a cross from the touchline which Bland claimed with authority with Hamilton lurking.

Hughes was then forced off through injury which necessitated a reshuffle in the Marine rearguard, however the homesters halved their deficit against the run of play midway through the half. Substitute Sean Myler combined well with Alex Davies and sent a dangerous cross in from the right flank which Craig Lindfield headed into the corner of the College Road net from 12 yards, beating Bland's desparing dive.

However the Mariners' renewed hope was extinguished just two minutes later as Whitby restored their two-goal cushion with the goal of the game. A misplaced clearance allowed Carson to advance before hitting an unstoppable swerving shot from 25 yards into the top corner of Hare's net.

With ten minutes remaining the Mariners were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out following a foul on Sherlock, substitute Kenny Strickland's well-struck effort dipping onto the roof of the rigging.

Whitby sealed their deserved victory in the 86th minute as Carson's precise pass split the Marine defence, Tymon advancing to apply an exquisite first-time finish over the stranded Hare.

In the closing stages Myler's effort from distance was securely held by the burgundy-bedecked Bland before Thompson's dinked ball into the box allowed Strickland to prod goalwards, Bland on this occasion diving low to his left to palm the ball away.

As time elapsed a corner from the Mariners' right was headed high over the bar by Grogan to sum up an afternoon in which the Whites were well and truly outplayed by an impressive and clinical Whitby side.

The Mariners now face two difficult away fixtures as they travel to play Matlock Town next Saturday (3pm ko) before making the midweek trek to County Durham on Tuesday 21st February to face Spennymoor Town (7:45pm ko).

Marine: Calvin Hare, Peter Wylie, Andy Nicholas (c), Mike Grogan, James Foley (Kenny Strickland 75), Adam Hughes (Sean Myler 65), Craig Lindfield (Will Doherty 86), Zac Thompson, Kurt Sherlock, Matthew Hamilton, Alex Davies.

Unused subs: Thomas Moore, Dean Porter. Cautions: Wylie, Sherlock, Hughes, Thompson.

Whitby Town: Shane Bland, Callum Martin (Kieron Weledji 58), Danny McWilliams, Andrew May, Luke Bythway, Mark Robinson, Adam Gell, David McTiernan, Steven Snaith (c), Matty Tymon (Anthony Hume 90), David Carson.

Unused subs: Dale Hopson, Daniel Dixon, Kyle Fryatt. Cautions: Robinson.

Goals: Marine; Lindfield (67)
Whitby Town; Carson (2, 69), Tymon (53, 86)

Referee: Mr Darren Rogers
Assistants: Mr Daniel Evans and Mr Jack Slater

Attendance: 292