MATCH REPORT: COLFC 1-2 Marine

The visitors took the points as City of Liverpool hosted Marine in a keenly contested derby at Vesty Road.

Michael Ellison made two changes from the rout against Pontefract Collieries, with Nathan Burke and Louis Corrigan replacing Tony Gray and Zac Aley. Jordan Barrow and Kai Shorrock also returned to the squad after missing the Colls match.

The match started in a cagey fashion, with both sides happy to figure each other out in the opening minutes. The first chance of the match came when veteran Mariners striker Niall Cummins glanced a header from close range into the grateful arms of Theo Roberts.

Marine then gained an early foothold in the game and had a succession of corners on their right hand side after a number of passages of play between Solomon-Davies and Kengni forced Purps intervention at the dead-ball line.

The Mariners took full advantage and obtained lead in a goalmouth scramble after a deep corner from Barrigan was directed against the post from close range. Tom Stephens then cleared the ball off the line before Anthony Miley stabbed home the rebound.

The Purps rallied and saw Marine keeper Bayleigh Passant brilliantly push Stephen Rigby’s fierce left footed effort against the bar when it looked for all the world he was about to score. 

The hoses should have had a penalty when David Raven poleaxed Stephen Rigby in the box just before half time. The Purps attacker beat the veteran defender to the ball only to barged to the ground, however the referee to somewhat astonishingly did not point to the spot. The Purps could also have had a spot kick when skipper Jay McCarten was pushed to the deck when challenging for a header, but again the match officials were alarmingly unmoved. 

HALF TIME: City of Liverpool 0-1 Marine.

After the interval City of Liverpool came out with greater purpose and were much the better side in the opening exchanges. Jack Hazlehurst who had been largely nullified during the first period by a combination of cynical fouls and three men marking each time he got the ball, suddenly found more space and influence within the game.

The Purps had a deserved equaliser when Hazlehurst whipped in a devilish right footed free kick from the left wing, centre back Jack Hinnigan rose unchallenged to glance a majestic header beyond Bayleigh Passant. It was no more than Michael Ellison’s side deserved after a bright start to the second period.

Marine were indebted to Bayleigh Passant who did well to push Nathan Burke’s rasping 30 yard effort around the post. He then reacted instinctively to claw out Tony Gray’s angled drive as the hosts pushed for a winner. 

At the other end Marine looked dangerous on the counter attack and Ryan Wignall twice fired straight at Theo Roberts when well placed in the area. The lively winger was a constant outlet on the left but ought to have done better after the Mariners cleverly worked a number over overlaps to play him in. 

Marine snatched the winner with 13 minutes left to play when Neil Kengni turned in the Purps box and hammered a low left footed effort past Roberts from just inside the area.

The Purps tried to stage a late fight back but a combination of good defending and brave goalkeeping saw Marine hold out to take a valuable three points.

FULL TIME: City of Liverpool 1-2 Marine.

City of Liverpool: Theo Roberts, Louis Corrigan (Tony Gray ’55), Jack Hinnigan, Jay McCarten (c), Tom Stephens, Ethan Devine, Stephen Rigby (Zac Aley ’57), Nathan Burke, Mitch Bryant, Dom Reid (Morgan Homson-Smith ’83)

Subs not used: Kai Shorrock, Jordan Barrow.

Man of the Match: Ethan Devine. The former Marine midfielder had a fine game in the middle of the park for the Purps, putting in some crunching challenges and offering a constant option on the ball. Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.

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