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