Marine sink Barwell with late headed goal

Barwell FC 1 Marine 2

IN A cagey season opener it was Marine who came away with a narrow win as the visitors left it late to grab the points, writes Murray Dworkin.

Both sides started the season with six new signings having recruited heavily over the summer break and the early stages went to the home side as Blair Anderson caused the most danger with his runs down the left.

In the 21st minute, Barwell took the lead with an excellent goal. Joel Bell headed the ball on and midfielder Brady Hickey curled a delightful drive beyond Marine keeper Calvin Hare with the outside of his right foot.

However, just two minutes later the scores were level as Marine equalised after keeper Max Smith-Varnam pushed Danny Mitchley to the ground in the penalty area. Mitchley himself took the spot kick and drove the ball powerfully home.

After the interval Barwell had the better of the exchanges and Bell went close before substitute Amarvir Sandhu missed a great chance, miscontrolling the ball with only the keeper to beat.

Marine owed a lot to their man of the match, central defender and captain Josh Brizell who was outstanding.

The away side were shouting again for a penalty after 77 minutes when Mitchley went down in the area following a challenge with Declan Towers.

With five minutes left Barwell were caught napping when a cross from Joe Mwasile found Mitchley completely unmarked in front of goal and he powered a low header into the net to secure the points.