Marine 1-2 Scarborough Athletic

By Tom Clarke

There was a dramatic ending to a tight contest at the Marine Travel Arena on Saturday afternoon, as Scarborough Athletic came away 1-2 winners.

Marine started the game with a double chance, Steve Irwin‘s rebound narrowly going wide before James Walshaw opened the scoring for the visitors just five minutes into the game after some wing work from Luke Lofts.

The game settled down after the opener, with chances for both sides before half-time including a couple of shots from visiting captain Michael Coulson as well as John Marsden for Marine.

Mariner Steve Irwin was then called into action for a crucial double-block to prevent Scarborough from extending their lead, before Sam Tattum had to make a similarly important block as Scarborough threatened a second goal.

Marine piled on the pressure at the beginning of the second half in search of an equaliser, but Michael Coulson doubled the visitors’ lead after going one-on-one with Marine stopper Joe Hilton and putting his shot through the legs of the on-loan Everton man.

The hosts kept their pressure on and were rewarded as centre-back Chris Doyle turned the ball home from the far post to grab one back, before winning a penalty as captain Danny Mitchley was fouled in the box. Kenny Strickland stepped up but blazed over the bar, as the game finished 1-2.

Marine now travel to South Shields on Tuesday evening before returning to the MTA next Saturday 16th to face Matlock Town.

Marine: Joe Hilton, Sam Tattum, Charley Edge, Sam Barnes, Chris Doyle, Kenny Strickland, Craig Carney (Danny Shaw, 80) Steve Irwin, Danny Mitchley (C), John Marsden (James Murray, 76), Liam Hynes.

Unused subs: James Short, Will Dunne, Germano Mendes.

Scarborough Athletic: Thomas Taylor, Jack Johnson, David Morris, Luke Dean, Ross Killock, James Williamson, Nathan Valentine, Jamie Forrester (Matthew Dixon, 43), James Walshaw, Michael Coulson (C), Luke Lofts (Will Annan, 90).

Unused subs: Kevin Burgess, Tom Morgan, Joshua Lacey.

Referee: Mr. Christopher Porter (Leyland).
Assistants: Mr. Andrew Daniels (Preston), Mr. George Allison (Leyland).

Attendance: 495.