A rampant & efficient first half performance from Marine was enough to secure the victory against a shell-shocked Atherton Collieries on a blustery night in Crosby. Brad Cooke's men started the brighter of the two teams, with the returning Clive Smith almost marking his second debut with a strong headed effort on goal, which was well saved by the ever-dependable Bailey Passant in the host goal.
Efficiency was the name of the game for Marine, who converted their first goal on the quarter hour mark. Great play from Lucas Weir and Sean Smith lead to a free header for Hayden Campbell, who flicked the ball towards the far post for the opener.
Marine were invigorated by the goal, and were good value for their second when it soon came. The Stripes failed to clear a dangerous throw in, which landed for an unmarked Campbell to score his second.
The Colls did continue to look smart whilst in possession throughout, with the most notable chance to reduce the deficit falling for Ethan Kershaw following some good build up by Aaron Smith.
However, Marine killed the game off on the stroke of half-time, leaving the Stripes dazed as they went into the interval. A loose pass from Jay Fitzmartin gifted the ball to Marine in a dangerous position, who counter-attacked against a scrambling Colls defence for Kielen Adams to convert a third.
The second half was but a formality, with an early goal for Marine leaving the Colls with nothing to play for but pride. Campbell beat Ethan Kershaw to a header at the far-post to seal his hat-trick.
To their credit, some pride was indeed restored with the strong second half performance from Brad Cooke's men, who may be considered unlucky not to have collected a goal or two of their own throughout proceedings. Marine's opportunities were limited for the remainder of the game, whilst Aaron Smith was unlucky not to score from a late corner.
The final whistle soon followed, with the result finishing at 4-0 to the hosts. The defeat to Marine marks the first time in 62 matches that the Collieries have conceded 3 or more goals in one game, an achievement that Brad Cooke, the playing squad and management team can all be proud of, regardless of the circumstances within which the record has come to an end.
Colls: Nico Defreitas-Hansen, Clive Smith, Gaz Peet, Jack Lenehan, Joel Amado, Luca Defreitas-Hansen, Ethan Kershaw (51' Finlay Lockett), Aaron Smith, Scott Bakkor (70' Jesse Ebosele), Jay Fitzmartin (53' Arran Pettifer), Marcus Cusani. Unused Subs: Danny Lafferty, Adam Rooney Man of the Match: Gaz Peet, sponsored by Tomlinson Tax Returns Match Report: Rob Clarke Photography: David Featherstone
Colls: Nico Defreitas-Hansen, Clive Smith, Gaz Peet, Jack Lenehan, Joel Amado, Luca Defreitas-Hansen, Ethan Kershaw (51' Finlay Lockett), Aaron Smith, Scott Bakkor (70' Jesse Ebosele), Jay Fitzmartin (53' Arran Pettifer), Marcus Cusani. Unused Subs: Danny Lafferty, Adam Rooney Man of the Match: Gaz Peet, sponsored by Tomlinson Tax Returns Match Report: Rob Clarke Photography: David Featherstone
