Marine 0-2 Workington

Marine beaten for first time in 2019 on poignant day at MTA...

Match report by Tom Clarke

Marine paid tribute to matchday announcer and lifelong fan Graham Cowperthwaite before their home game with Workington, which finished 0-2 after second half goals from Bradley Carroll and Samuel Joel.

It was an even first half with chances at both ends, Workington’s Dan Carmichael and Carroll with early efforts as Marine ‘keeper Joe Hilton asserted himself with several comfortable saves.

Marine won a penalty on the half-hour mark after a handball in the box, but Craig Carney saw his low effort saved by Aaran Taylor.

Workington had a couple of penalty shouts waved away in the first half, one just after Marine’s penalty when Charley Edge was accused of handball by several Workington players, but the referee rightly saw it as ball-to-hand.

Sam Barnes, who recently signed his first professional deal with Blackburn Rovers after extending his Marine loan spell, made two crucial interventions to prevent the visitors going ahead before the break.

Marine started the second half as the more lively side, Charley Edge going close on three occasions before Bradley Carroll put the visitors ahead from the edge of the box after a corner.

The Whites pushed for an equaliser after the first goal but Workington proved a resolute outfit, and doubled their lead with four minutes remaining, Samuel Joel rounding the ‘keeper before slotting home, despite Danny Shaw’s attempt to hook it out before reaching the line.

Steve Irwin was controversially sent off with two minutes left on the clock after a coming together, the midfielder receiving a second yellow card.

However, more important than the result, Marine paid tribute to a fantastic servant to the club and a friend to all.

Marine: Joe Hilton, Sam Tattum, Charley Edge , Danny Shaw, Chris Doyle, Sam Barnes, James Murray, Steve Irwin , Danny Mitchley (James Short 76'), Craig Carney (Michael Elstone 69'), Liam Hynes.

Unused subs: Kenny Strickland, John Marsden, Germano Mendes.

Workington: Aaran Taylor, Matthew Douglas, Gari Rowntree, Daniel Wordsworth, Joshua Calvert, Bradley Carroll , Dan Carmichael (David Symington 56'), Niall Cowperthwaite, Jason Walker (Jordan Holt 86'), Garry Thompson (Samuel Joel 79'), Conor Tinnion.
Unused subs: Dean Brotherston, Lewis Casson.

Referee: Mr. Jon Kenny.
Assistant referees: Mr. Jack Slater, Mr. Michael Southern.

Attendance: 671.