Lancaster City defeated by Marine in front of biggest crowd of season

Lancaster City were beaten by two second-half goals on Non-League Day in front of a record home crowd for the season of 1010.

The opening minutes were reduced to scrappy affairs due to the weather having a big impact on the match. With every ball over the top, the wind had a big say on its direction.

Lancaster City’s best chance of the opening 45 came just before the 15th minute. Sam Bailey found himself on the end of a deep ball from the left hand side. He opted to play the ball back across goal at the first time of asking where Tom Kilifin was on hand. He couldn’t get enough purchase on his effort and Marine were able to deal with the attack.

Lancaster City looked to hold their own against a well disciplined Marine side. In the 25th minute, Brad Carroll picked up a loose ball in the centre circle and looked to drive with intent. He looked to find Dom Lawson through the heart of the Marine defence but the pass evaded Lawson and was collected by Bobby Jones.

Marine did come the closest to opening the scoring through Harvey Gregson on the half hour mark. Finley Sinclair-Smith received a short corner and swung his cross in from a better angle. Gregson made the near post run and looked to flick the ball into the far corner but the effort was just wide of Tom Stewart’s post.

Marine entered a phase of domination over Lancaster City with Sol Solomon and Finley Sinclair-Smith being valuable assets. Sinclair-Smith drove from a deep position towards the 18 yard box before shooting low and hard towards Tom Stewart’s goal. Stewart was able to get down low to deny the effort.

Sinclair-Smith came close again after 37 minutes. Another driving run was untouched by Lancaster City and the attacker shaped himself up for a curling effort into the top corner but the ball was directed wide of the top corner.

The first half ended with Lancaster City keeping Marine at bay.

The Dolly Blues started strongly in the second half. Tyler Hill swung in a perfect ball into the area which was met by Tom Kilifin. His touch allowed him to fire a shot away which was deflected towards goal.

Marine thought they had opened the scoring through Bobby Grant. A mix up in midfield from Lancaster City allowed Grant to be freed and face Tom Stewart. He broke into the area but his scuffed shot was wide of the mark from close range.

Bobby Grant did get his goal on 68 minutes. Owen Windsor led a counter attack against City before playing a lofted pass to Grant who controlled the pass before firing low into Tom Stewart’s goal. The goal didn’t come without complaints from Lancaster City who felt that Grant had illegally handled the ball.

In the 77th minute, the visitors had wrapped the game up as Sol Solomon added a second. A simple ball from midfield allowed Solomon to beat the offside trap and place his shot below Stewart for a two nil lead.

As the injury time came to a close, Lancaster City were awarded a penalty following Josh Wardle’s handball whilst defending an attack.

Sam Bailey stepped up in the 93rd minute to give Lancaster City a late lifeline but his spot kick was saved by Jones who got down low to his left to deny the captain.

The game ended following the spot kick and Lancaster City fell to defeat. 

Up next for Lancaster City is a trip across the Pennines when they travel to Guiseley.