Unibond Premier League, Saturday 24th February 2001
A 67th minute goal from the influential Gerard Courtney was enough to give Marine the three points, in this evenly fought Unibond relegation encounter.
Frickley, after a woeful start to the season, have been showing a reversal fortunes of late, in their bid to avert relegation from the Unibond league. This was highlighted by the five-nil away victory in midweek at bottom of the table Spenymoor United. Marine were in the midst of another one their indifferent patches that have blighted their season. They also went into the game on the back of an embarrassing five-nil reverse, to neighbours Southport, in midweek in the Lancashire cup.
As you would expect in a game with so much at stake, the game got of to a slow start. The first real chance of the game fell to the visitors, when after six minutes, Frickleys, Gary Duffty found himself through on goal on the right hand corner of the box but he could only steer his shot into the terrace behind the Marine goal.
Such was the nature of the play both sides were restricted to half chances. Marine’s first meaningful attack of the game saw Courtney send a looping header over the bar that did not have the pace to trouble the Frickley goalkeeper. This attack was a prelude to concerted spell of pressure for Marine.
Under pressure from the home side, the Frickley defence stood firm restricting Marine to speculative long-range efforts. An invitation that Marine’s top scorer and long-range specialist Dave Gamble does not normally shirk and on nineteen minutes he sent a shot wide of the Frickley goalkeeper’s upright. Four minutes later, Gamble tried another shot from a similar distance, on this occasion he went closer.
Gamble, showed that he was also adept to something a little more subtle on the half hour, when in front of his own box, with the Frickley attackers baring down on him rolled his foot over the ball and with space and time he had created, he found Randles who then played in Courtney. Who could only steer his shot straight at the Frickley goalkeeper.
Again, five minutes later the same combination of Randles and Courtney carved out another chance, but Courtney’s effort did not have enough power to beat the keeper.
Anton Lally then went close with a long-range effort that curled over the bar. Three minutes later Lally was ready to unleash a shot but was denied by the interventions of the Frickley defender.
With a minute to go before half-time Marine, had their best chance of the game so far. Dave Gamble's in swinging corner evaded the Frickey defence and even the Frickley goalkeeper, who was left sprawling by the Marine forward’s challenge, but he managed to recover himself sufficiently to save from Courtney on the goal-line.
Marine were certainly the better side in the first period, but after the interval they took some time to get back into their stride and Frickley started the better side. The Mariner’s back line had to be as equally resolute as their Frickley counterparts had been in the first period. On 52 minutes, goalkeeper Clarke had to be alert when he gathered the ball at his feet from a Leroy Chambers shot, with Gary Duffty close at hand, waiting for a slip from the Marine goalkeeper.
Frickley were enjoying their best spell of the game and Marine’s manager Roly Howard had obviously seen enough. After 58 minutes He decided to introduce the combative central defender Mark Schofield, although only half fit, in a bid to stem Frickley’s spell of pressure.
Ten minutes later, as the game looked to have been heading towards a draw. A through ball by David Gamble, found Gerard Courtney one on one with the goalkeeper, with great composure Courtney fired Marine into the lead
The result was almost put beyond doubt three minutes later, but Gary Randles fired across the face of goal and wide. Frickley tried in vain to get back into the game, but try as they might, they found it hard to break down a resolute Marine back line and they had to make do with half chances.
With game in injury time and with Marine seemingly set to take the three points. Frickley’s number nine spurned a guilt edge chance that could have given Frickley a share of the points. Gamble was dispossessed in midfield and Duffty threaded the ball through to Leroy Chambers who with the keeper to beat placed his shot wide of the post.
Marine fans can now breathe a little easier after this result. A result that, gives them an eight-point cushion between themselves and Frickley who occupy the second from bottom relegation position.
ATT - 267
* This report previously appeared on the now defunct website Pyramid Football
Sunday, February 25, 2001
Sunday, February 4, 2001
Marine 0 Rushden & Diamonds 6
Saturday 3rd February 2001, Umbro FA Trophy 4th Round
A potential FA Trophy banana skin was avoided for Conference favourites Rusden & Diamond, as they overcame spirited performance by Unibond League side Marine.
The game was definitely a case of two worlds colliding, although the teams may only be separated one division, in reality the difference between the two teams is much greater. Rusden with their pretensions of greater things, have in their ranks two strikers who would not have left much change out of £300, 000, funded by the ambitious local businessman Max Griggs and Marine who have spent a similar amount on a new 400 seater stand, funded by the concerted efforts of the clubs supporters association and from grants, over the last few years. This is one of many aspects that could be used in evidence to highlight the divide. The new stand was certainly put to good use today, when it housed the vast majority of the 965 crowd, Marines best attendance this season by far, swelled by the mass ranks of travelling Rushden supporters.
The combination of Marine’s tightly packed three sided ground, a pitch that would have given Alex Ferguson palpitations, an upset could well have been the order of the day. Marine were no doubt looking to better their one-nil defeat in the fifth round of last years competition by Rushden, but it was Rushden who took the early initiative in the opening exchanges. Most of Rushden’s early attacks went through their experienced striker, Duane Darby. Sadly, for Marine the equally combative Mark Schofield, was ruled out of this game through injury, they needed him to thwart the influence of Darby.
Rushden, enjoyed most of the early possession and made good use of the wings, Andy Burgess made good ground down the left and found Gary Butterworth who fired his shot straight at the Marine goalkeeper Clarke. Again on ten minutes Darby used his strength and height to play in Burgess outside the box, who fired over from close range.
It was certainly the Marine defence in the first quarter of the game who earned the plaudits, with their resolute defending in the face of constant Rushden pressure. Rushden’s opening twenty minute spell brought about no less than six corners. It was with the seventh that Rushden scored, on 21 minutes, when Jon Brady’s perfectly flighted corner found Duane Darby, who rose above keeper Clarke and the Marine defence to put Rushden one-nil up.
This could have been the signal for Marine to capitulate, but to their credit they composed themselves and dug in to try and repell the Rushden attacks and even carved out an opening of their own, when Gerard Courtney broke free down the right, and found fullback Ian Baines who fired his shot across the face of goal.
This move was a respite for Marine, who could have found themselves two goals down on 27 minutes. Shawn Carey, found himself through on goal but miscontrolled the ball to Justin Jackson who could only steer the ball past the right hand post. Though this would not have counted as the referee had adjudged Jackson to be off side.
The corner count increased for Rushden as the half wore on and when the half time whistle sounded, it was certainly Marine who were glad of the chance to re group. The first half certainly was a one sided encounter but they emerged with some credit for being able to hold Rushden to a one nil first half lead.
Marine started the second half brighter and managed to fashion a couple of chances. A long kick by Marine keeper was not dealt with by the Rushden defence, Dave Thompson managed to break free down the right, he fired a cross over which found Kevin Formby who flashed a shot wide of the post. Then three minutes later more good work down the right by Thompson, tried to play in the on rushing Karl Robinson but he could not connect and the ball rolled out for a goal kick.
Again Rushden stepped up the play and on 54 minutes Jackson was put through on goal, he could only steer his shot wide of the post. Three minutes later, Jackson was again at the heart of the action, when he was fouled ten yards out side the box by Ian Baines. From the resulting free kick, Jon Brady’s effort was spectacularly tipped over the bar by Marine keeper Clarke.
In a repeat of an earlier chance, Rushden’s Jackson found himself one on one with the Marine keeper, Clarke, this time though he made no mistake and on the hour mark he made it two-nil.
Marine tried to hit back almost immediately, when from Courtney’s knock down Robinson fired over the bar. Marine felt hard done to as they believed that the goalkeeper had got a fingertip to the ball. The referee did not do anything to win over the home faithful two minutes later, when he waved away appeals for a blatant penalty, when the Rushden defender Carey blocked the ball with his hands following a shot by Bainbridge.
Again Rushden were denied by the brilliance of Clarke on 73 minutes but the Marine keeper could do nothing to stop Duane Darby’s shot from eighteen yards, three minutes later, which effectively killed off this cuptie as a contest. Set piece specialist Burgess added a forth on eighty minutes. Two further goals in stoppage time by substitutes Roy Essendah and Jim Rodwell sealed a comprehensive victory for the Conference side.
Though Rushden did control the majority of this game, the score line was a little harsh on Marine who had tried to stem the tide of their illustrious opponents attacks, but for two sloppy goals in injury time may have given the score line a more respectable look.
ATT: 965
A potential FA Trophy banana skin was avoided for Conference favourites Rusden & Diamond, as they overcame spirited performance by Unibond League side Marine.
The game was definitely a case of two worlds colliding, although the teams may only be separated one division, in reality the difference between the two teams is much greater. Rusden with their pretensions of greater things, have in their ranks two strikers who would not have left much change out of £300, 000, funded by the ambitious local businessman Max Griggs and Marine who have spent a similar amount on a new 400 seater stand, funded by the concerted efforts of the clubs supporters association and from grants, over the last few years. This is one of many aspects that could be used in evidence to highlight the divide. The new stand was certainly put to good use today, when it housed the vast majority of the 965 crowd, Marines best attendance this season by far, swelled by the mass ranks of travelling Rushden supporters.
The combination of Marine’s tightly packed three sided ground, a pitch that would have given Alex Ferguson palpitations, an upset could well have been the order of the day. Marine were no doubt looking to better their one-nil defeat in the fifth round of last years competition by Rushden, but it was Rushden who took the early initiative in the opening exchanges. Most of Rushden’s early attacks went through their experienced striker, Duane Darby. Sadly, for Marine the equally combative Mark Schofield, was ruled out of this game through injury, they needed him to thwart the influence of Darby.
Rushden, enjoyed most of the early possession and made good use of the wings, Andy Burgess made good ground down the left and found Gary Butterworth who fired his shot straight at the Marine goalkeeper Clarke. Again on ten minutes Darby used his strength and height to play in Burgess outside the box, who fired over from close range.
It was certainly the Marine defence in the first quarter of the game who earned the plaudits, with their resolute defending in the face of constant Rushden pressure. Rushden’s opening twenty minute spell brought about no less than six corners. It was with the seventh that Rushden scored, on 21 minutes, when Jon Brady’s perfectly flighted corner found Duane Darby, who rose above keeper Clarke and the Marine defence to put Rushden one-nil up.
This could have been the signal for Marine to capitulate, but to their credit they composed themselves and dug in to try and repell the Rushden attacks and even carved out an opening of their own, when Gerard Courtney broke free down the right, and found fullback Ian Baines who fired his shot across the face of goal.
This move was a respite for Marine, who could have found themselves two goals down on 27 minutes. Shawn Carey, found himself through on goal but miscontrolled the ball to Justin Jackson who could only steer the ball past the right hand post. Though this would not have counted as the referee had adjudged Jackson to be off side.
The corner count increased for Rushden as the half wore on and when the half time whistle sounded, it was certainly Marine who were glad of the chance to re group. The first half certainly was a one sided encounter but they emerged with some credit for being able to hold Rushden to a one nil first half lead.
Marine started the second half brighter and managed to fashion a couple of chances. A long kick by Marine keeper was not dealt with by the Rushden defence, Dave Thompson managed to break free down the right, he fired a cross over which found Kevin Formby who flashed a shot wide of the post. Then three minutes later more good work down the right by Thompson, tried to play in the on rushing Karl Robinson but he could not connect and the ball rolled out for a goal kick.
Again Rushden stepped up the play and on 54 minutes Jackson was put through on goal, he could only steer his shot wide of the post. Three minutes later, Jackson was again at the heart of the action, when he was fouled ten yards out side the box by Ian Baines. From the resulting free kick, Jon Brady’s effort was spectacularly tipped over the bar by Marine keeper Clarke.
In a repeat of an earlier chance, Rushden’s Jackson found himself one on one with the Marine keeper, Clarke, this time though he made no mistake and on the hour mark he made it two-nil.
Marine tried to hit back almost immediately, when from Courtney’s knock down Robinson fired over the bar. Marine felt hard done to as they believed that the goalkeeper had got a fingertip to the ball. The referee did not do anything to win over the home faithful two minutes later, when he waved away appeals for a blatant penalty, when the Rushden defender Carey blocked the ball with his hands following a shot by Bainbridge.
Again Rushden were denied by the brilliance of Clarke on 73 minutes but the Marine keeper could do nothing to stop Duane Darby’s shot from eighteen yards, three minutes later, which effectively killed off this cuptie as a contest. Set piece specialist Burgess added a forth on eighty minutes. Two further goals in stoppage time by substitutes Roy Essendah and Jim Rodwell sealed a comprehensive victory for the Conference side.
Though Rushden did control the majority of this game, the score line was a little harsh on Marine who had tried to stem the tide of their illustrious opponents attacks, but for two sloppy goals in injury time may have given the score line a more respectable look.
ATT: 965
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