Marine sink to away defeat

Marine’s winless run continued on Saturday afternoon in Derbyshire with a 2-1 defeat at Buxton.

Last season this fixture had ended 3-0 to the Bucks who had defeated Witton Albion mid-week whilst Marine had a tough 2-1 loss at Workington.

There were plenty of changes to the starting line-up from that mid-week clash, some of them enforced with the injuries of Michael Grogan and James Short. James Edgar filled in at left back, Kenneth Strickland at centre half and Vinny Bailey sat in the middle of midfield.

Despite some tough conditions with the rain driving down the pitch in sheets, Marine started the brighter team and scored with the first real effort of the game after 5 minutes.

Danny Mitchley chased down a seemingly lost cause but managed to deliver a crisp pass from the left wing which was headed home with ease by George Lomax.

Following a bit of Buxton pressure Billy Smart looked as though he was going for goal of the season. Picking the ball up in midfield, he slalomed his way past most of the Buxton team but scuffed his effort wide.

There was a good chance for Mitchley shortly after but he hit his effort wide after a good assist from Peter Wylie.

Just before the hour mark Buxton drew level courtesy of Luke Hinsley who headed home from the corner.

Chances were at a premium for the remainder of the half but Mitchley continued chasing down balls and Smart ran tirelessly in midfield looking for an opening.

Just before the half-time whistle Adam Hughes, who had been commanding things at the back for Marine, had to come off with injury so up stepped new signing Liam Tongue.

It was an explosive start to the second half with some great chances at both ends. Chris Lomax came on for James Murray after 49 minutes and straightaway got in on the action. He sent a beautiful ball sailing over from the left wing to his brother George Lomax but he couldn’t connect.

Ben Barnes produced a fine reaction save shortly after from a Bucks header to keep the score level, followed by a brilliant chance for Mitchley, again from a Chris Lomax assist, but his effort was straight at the keeper.

The turning point of the game came just before the hour mark. Buxton sub Liam Hardy profited on a sloppy Marine back-pass and slotted home from a tight angle to make it 2-1.

Marine continued to press for an equaliser in the last half hour with Bradshaw replacing Brewster but they couldn’t make the breakthrough.

With the game coming to an end Smart had the last decent chance but it was well wide.

As the final whistle blew Marine were left to reflect on a difficult afternoon that had started so well. It’s now 12 games in all competitions without a win and the Mariners will be looking to halt this run at the Marine Travel Arena on Tuesday evening v Stalybridge.

Marine: Ben Barnes, Peter Wylie, James Edgar, Adam Hughes (Liam Tongue 45mins), Kenny Strickland, Billy Smart, Michael Brewster (Seb Bradshaw 70mins), Vinny Bailey, Danny Mitchley (C), George Lomax, James Murray (Chris Lomax 49mins)

Subs not used: Adam Freeland, Germano Mendes

Buxton: Jan Budtz, Jake Williams, Andy McWilliams, Ricky Ravenhill, Joe Maguire, Greg Young (c), Joe McGee, Brad Abbott, Sam Smith, Luke Hinsley, Curtis Morrison

Subs: Danny Burns, Ant Wilson, Liam Hardy, Josh Meade, Alpha Kaba

Referee: Paul Thomas (Sheffield)
Assistants: Samuel Wright (Sheffield) and Mehdi Najefi (Sheffield)