DUNN & DUSTED THANKS TO JACK
Marine hit back to shake off Linnets
MARINE claimed their place back in the NPL Premier Division with a determined second-half display.
The league’s top scorer Ryan Brooke fired Linnets into a third-minute lead but the Mariners fought back and won through courtesy of quickfire goals from Neil Kengni and Jack Dunn.
“We’ve had a nightmare of a season with injuries and other setbacks so to get through two very tough away play-off games in the manner that we have done is very satisfying,” said Mariners boss Neil Young.
“All credit to Linnets for their great start but over the 90 minutes I felt that we were the stronger side and when we made the substitutions it gave us that extra edge.”
With over 1,600 crammed into the Millbrook Stadium, Linnets got off to the best possible start when Brooke headed home from a pin-point corner from Iwan Murray.
The rest of the first half was end to end with both sides going close. Murray had an effort saved by Marine keeper Bayleigh Passant while, at the other end, Dunn saw a shot well saved by Owen Mooney. Kengni too went close with an effort which struck the foot of the post.
Linnets almost gave their fans some pre-interval cheer when home skipper Sean O’Mahony met another Murray cross. Passant fumbled but then redeemed himself with a super blocking save to deny the defender a goal with his follow-up.
This prompted a response from Marine at the start of the second half with another Dunn effort forcing a comfortable save from Mooney, while Niall Cummins asw his shot blocked.
Defender James Short fired into the side netting as the home side looked to gain further advantage, and that was cue for Young to play his trump cards. Owen Watkinson and Lewis Reilly climbed off the bench and suddenly the game opened up in favour of the visitors.
And it was Reilly who carved out the opening that led to Marine’s leveller. Taking a loose ball on the edge of the box, he fired in a superb effort that crashed down off the bar and Kengni reacted quickest to head home the rebound.
Then, eight minutes later, Reilly’s corner was thumped home at the near post by Dunn and Marine had the lead.
“I told Lewis (Reilly) that he was unlucky not to be starting,” said boss Young. “But he took it in his stride and told me that he would be ready when needed and he certainly was!”
Linnets’ boss Calum McIntyre hailed his troops, adding: “At the start of the season, people said it would be impossible for us to be in the top ten, so to reach the play-off final and push a very good side to the limit I can’t be anything other than proud of this superb group of players.” STASRTAMRAMN:AJNa:cnkaDmuenn(te(aMma)rine)
ENTERTAIINMENT:: ★★★★★