Marine returned from their first visit to Cannon Park with all three points after a battling performance saw them beat Retford United by the only goal of the game on Saturday.
They say a week is a long time in politics and that’s also been the case for the Mariners, two consecutive Saturday wins with a midweek cup tie win thrown in for good measure capping a satisfying period for the Crosby club.
Retford have enjoyed a good start to life in the Premier Division after being promoted last season having only lost one away league game and none at home prior to this match, having a squad with plenty of experienced non league campaigners.
A strong wind blowing across the pitch was in the home side’s favour in the first half and they took full advantage being well on top until the main talking point of the day, Terry Barwick being rightly sent off on the half hour for a reckless lunge on Liam Rushton, the unfortunate Marine striker having to be substituted with some heavy bruising but the tide of the match then turning in Marine’s favour with the numerical advantage.
United forward Neil Harvey threatened to bamboozle the visiting defence on several occasions prior to the red card, firstly getting on the end of Lee Thompson’s cross to direct an effort at goal which Tim Dittmer saved comfortably but also on three further occasions, failing to score either by shooting wide or some first class goalkeeping by Dittmer.
The Marine number one produced arguably his best save though to deny Michael Simkins, the home captain curling a free kick over the defensive wall that was destined for the top corner before Dittmer’s intervention, flying across goal to claw the ball away for a corner.
Marine’s sights of goal early on were few and far between but after the dismissal they began to get on top and had the ball in the net shortly before half time, Paul Crewe chasing the ball in to the area and netting after a mistake from James Lindley in the home goal, but seeing his celebrations muted as referee Mr. Chester deemed that the keeper had been in control of the ball, perhaps a tad generously.
The second half saw Marine enjoy much more possession and territory and they grabbed what proved to be the winning goal on 55 minutes, Crewe going on a strong run in to the area before being stopped by most of the home defence, but the ball falling neatly for Alan Burton to thump home an unstoppable drive from 15 yards past the rooted goalkeeper and in to the roof of the net.
United posed much less of a goal threat in the second half apart from corners and free kicks although danger man Harvey did see one good turn and run end in a shot well over the bar.
Jamie Rainford had a relatively quiet match after his recent scoring exploits but went close to wrapping up the win with five minutes left, Stephen Johnson surging away down the left and crossing in to the danger area but the Yellows’ leading scorer diverted the ball wide at full stretch with Marine’s penultimate attack of the match.
Stephen Brown brought a fine save from substitute goalkeeper Chris Kingston with a powerful effort while Retford pushed for an equaliser at the other end, forcing a number of corners but Marine held firm without any real scares to take the points and move back in to the top half of the table.
Retford United: James Lindley (Chris Kingston 45), Stuart Ludlam, Lee Thompson (Ian Clarke 77), Terry Barwick, Nicky Ellis, Michael Simkins (Cap), Chris Bettney, Paul Ellender, Mick Godber, Neil Harvey (Paul Grimes 81), Colin Marrison.
Unused subs: Dan White, Peter Duffield. Cautions: Thompson, Marrison. Sent off: Barwick.
Marine: Tim Dittmer, James Bell, John Shaw, Tony Davies, Joe McMahon, Lee Parle (Stephen Johnson 61), Stephen Brown, Steve Hussey (Cap), Jamie Rainford, Liam Rushton (Paul Crewe 30), Alan Burton.
Unused subs: Michael Jackson, Kieran Molyneux, Shaun Callacher. Cautions: Bell, Rainford.
Referee: Mr. M. Chester; Assistants Mr. J. Douglas, Mr. J. Hyke.
Attendance: 233.
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