Marine 0-2 Clitheroe: Clinical Cane sinks Mariners

Stephen Killen

March 23, 2022

7:45 am

Max Cane’s double sank Marine and dented their Northern Premier League promotion hopes.

A goal in each half, orchestrated by the skill and determination of Jamie Edwards and Sefton Gonzales handed the goalscorer an easy opportunity to find the back of the net.

In an average game without any stranglehold from either tea, the first came when Edwards weaved and danced his way through the Mariners‘ backline before squaring to Cane who stroked beyond Bayleigh Passant.

The first-half brought chances from both sides. For the hosts, their best opportunity came from a free-kick as Lewis Reilly’s curling effort was whiskers away but the wrong side of the crossbar.

On the other hand, the visitors – with the never-ending weapon that was Lee Pugh’s arrowing long throw-ins – saw Ross Dent’s free header clip the bar prior to the opener.

In the early stages of both halves, Oliver Muir saw his attempts go over the bar, his first came in the opening 45 as he mistimed his header, seeing it hit his back and loop over before a low-drilled corner was steered into the Crosender Way.

Passant, much the busier out of the two shot-stoppers, was instrumental in keeping the scoreline to two, flattering the hosts in the end. He sprung into action a number of times, denying Cane midway through the first-half just a goal separating the two as Neil Young had the outstretched boot of his goalkeeper to thank.

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And as they pushed for an equaliser, the back door was left open, the visitors raced through and again Cane found himself frustrated as the shot-stopper hauled himself towards the danger, averting it in the process.

However, with 16 minutes remaining on the clock Gonzales continued to be a nuisance and wriggled his way through on the byline, his initial effort was blocked by Passant but with a bit of fortune, it fell kindly back to his feet and he cut-back to Cane who rifled his effort into the empty net.

As Dean Winnard becomes available for their next fixture, away at Mossley, they will have to make-do without skipper James Barrigan who was sent off late on after the referee inadvertently gave two yellows cards before her assistant intervened and eventually showed him a red.

But two-goal cushion knocked any remaining wind out of the hosts, who struggled throughout proceedings were outfought on the night.

A stoppage-time winner for Workington saw them move into second, two points off of Warrington Rylands, as Neil Young’s side missed an opportunity to move level on points with the league leaders, they now sit third three points off.