Marine 1-0 Sheffield

An Andy Owens goal eight minutes from time saw Marine progress to the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy with victory over Sheffield FC at the Marine Travel Arena. Lewis Codling replaced Tom Owens in the Mariners' starting eleven, whilst James Short made a welcome return to the matchday squad.

The visitors made a bright start and threatened in just the 2nd minute as a strong, weaving run from McKenzie to the edge of the box allowed a shooting opportunity, but he dragged his left-footed shot well wide of target.

Marine's first chance came on the quarter hour mark, as a foul on James Foley allowed Luke Holden to whip in a free kick. Danny Mitchley met Holden's delivery but glanced his header wide from the penalty spot.

As play settled down the visitors seemed content to allow the Whites to retain plenty of possession and counter when the opportunity arose. From one such break a ball cut back from the Sheffield right saw skipper Glavin's goalbound effort blocked by Mitch Duggan. The rebound fell to Raheem just outside the box and the midfielder's venomous shot saw Duggan get a vital touch to divert the ball a yard wide of Matt Cooper's left-hand upright.

Midway through the half Andy Nicholas played a ball over the top which saw Andy Owens outmuscle a visiting defender and hit a low shot which, despite being off-balance, custodian Dunn somehow managed to deflect over the bar with his outstretched leg.

Luke Holden then showed his class as he brilliantly created space to centre from the byline, Mitchley being unable to control under pressure from the Blues' defence and the ball rolled through to Dunn.

The Mariners were now beginning to assert, and just after the half-hour Carl Peers was fouled a yard outside the penalty area. Holden's resultant free-kick brought a smart save from Dunn who tipped over the bar to keep the home side at bay.

A minute later the Mariners broke forward having pinched possession and Peers fed Mitchley on their right. The ex-Skem man played the ball inside to Holden who shot low but again Dunn made a useful stop.

The influential Holden then sent an early ball forward which picked out Owens between two visiting defenders, however the big striker's volley sailed a couple of yards over the crossbar.

Sheffield's attacks became more sporadic as time passed, although three minutes before the break Foster's sharp turn and well-struck shot forced Cooper into a fingertip save as he diverted the ball over and behind for a corner.

However on 44 minutes it was the Crosby side who looked to break the deadlock with the move of the match. Liam Willis' ball forward found Holden whose exquisite volleyed back-heel fell perfectly into the path of Owens. The ex-Telford striker found Mitchley with the outside of his boot, Dunn again denying the Mariners as he blocked Mitchley's low drive with his legs.

Owens was then presented with an opportunity of his own as the Sheffield defence gifted him possession with a misplaced pass, but rather than opting to play in Mitchley again Owens shot somewhat tamely from outside the box and Dunn made a routine save as the half-time whistle sounded.

Whilst the first half had seen a number of chances created at both ends the second proved to be a far more cagey affair with goalscoring chances few and far between. Indeed for lengthy periods a stalemate looked the likely outcome as the visitors dropped ever deeper and appeared content to try and force a midweek replay.

The influential Holden was doing his best to give his side the edge and he found Peers with a clever pass, the midfield dynamo firing a shot from 25 yards which flew narrowly over the bar with Dunn struggling. Glavin then tried to reply in kind for the visitors but sent his effort from distance well over the College Road end crossbar.

On 68 minutes a Marine corner from the right was only half-cleared by the Sheffield defence, and the onrushing Peers was unfortunate to see his header from 15 yards clear Dunn's bar.

With a quarter of an hour remaining a brief spell of Sheffield pressure resulted in Willis' clearing header falling to Glavin, the visiting captain hitting a well-struck volley which fortunately for the Mariners found the well-positioned Cooper's midriff.

Into the final ten minutes and with a Tuesday night trip to the Coach & Horses ground looking increasingly likely Holden showed tremendous energy to play himself out of a tight situation in the Marine half before beating his man and winning the Whites a throw-in 50 yard upfield. After a delay to allow Sean Myler to replace the effervescent Foley the throw-in saw custard-clad custodian Dunn and his defence fail to clear fully, the ball falling to Andy Owens who fired a first-time left-footed shot low into the net to give his team a late but deserved lead.

Sheffield never really looked likely to recover from this blow, and in fact it was the Mariners who came close to adding a second goal late in the final few minutes. Firstly Mitch Duggan's marauding run from the right-back position carried him to the edge of the box where he was finally felled in unceremonious fashion. Holden delivered another high-quality free-kick which found the head of Mitchley six yards out, the striker failing to make it five goals in as many appearances as he headed narrowly over the bar.

Owens then attempted to add to his earlier strike as he advanced into the box and shot low, however his effort lacked pace and Dunn held comfortably.

Time elapsed to bring the Mariners a confidence-boosting win, and they now look forward to Monday's 2nd Qualifying Round draw.

The Mariners return to league action next Saturday as they welcome Whitby Town to the Marine Travel Arena.

Marine: Matt Cooper, Mitch Duggan, Stephen Wainwright, Liam Willis, Carl Peers, Andy Nicholas (c), Luke Holden, James Foley (Sean Myler 81), Danny Mitchley, Andy Owens, Lewis Codling.

Unused subs: Chad Whyte, Tom Owens, James Short, Zac Procter. Cautions: Duggan

Sheffield: Thomas Dunn, Reece Littlejohn, Ben Turner, Conor Glavin (c), Hafeez Hamzat, Stuart Ludlam, Temi Raheem, Anton Foster (Bradley Riley 86), Benny Igiehon (Bruno Holden 75), Shaquille McKenzie, James Gregory.

Unused subs: Jamie Green, Luke Stevens, Matthew Roney. Cautions: Littlejohn, Raheem, Turner.

Goals: Marine; A Owens (82) .

Referee: Mr Darren Rogers
Assistants: Mr Christopher Clarke and Mr Mark Little

Attendance: 259