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Marine 1 Clitheroe 1 (Marine win 3-2 on penalties)

Marine 1 Clitheroe 1 (Marine win 3-2 on penalties)

Pete Oliver12 Nov 2019 - 21:48
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Cup heartache as Blues go out in penalty shoot-out

The Blues’ interest in cup competitions came to an end as they went out of the Integro League Cup on penalties.

Phil Brown’s men are flying in the league but lost a third cup tie in four attempts in agonising fashion on Merseyside.

Owen Watkinson’s fourth goal of the season had set up the shoot-out as he quickly cancelled out an early strike from James Devine with neither side able to find a winner in the last 70 minutes.

And it was Marine who then held their nerve best to convert three of their spot-kicks to book a second-round spot.

Blues’ boss Brown made three changes to the side that bowed out of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy a week earlier as Charlie Russell returned to skipper the side, Jacob Gregory replaced the injured Terry Cummings and Craig Stanley made his second ‘debut’ after re-joining the Blues.

There were also welcome spots on the bench for the Under-21 duo of Liam Clegg and striker Ollie Stirzaker, who got a taste of the action as a late substitute for his senior appearance in a couple of years.

But it was Marine – a place behind the Blues in the North-West division play-off places – who struck first when defender Devine forced the ball home following a corner, the hosts’ major weapon in a first half shaded by the Blues.

Connor Gaul carried Clitheroe’s early threat and he was instrumental as Brown’s men quickly hit back to be level after 20 minutes.

Gaul’s threaded pass picked out Watkinson and the teenager did the rest with a fine finish across Shamal George into the far corner.

Jake Connelly passed up a shooting chance to try and set up Watkinson again and Liverpool loan keeper George then survived a major scare as the Blues almost grabbed a half-time lead.

George’s failure to control a back-pass saw the ball roll goalwards before the 21-year-old, who has had Football League experience from a loan spell with Carlisle United, just got back to clear off the line as Watkinson closed in.

Clitheroe went close again three minutes into the second half with an excellent strike from Russell which flashed just past the post.

But Marine were seeing more of the ball and it took the combination of Andy Jackson and goalkeeper Connor King, with a fine block, to keep out an effort from Ethan Devine.

With the prospect of the penalty shoot-out less than 20 minutes away, Clitheroe responded and almost took the lead for the first time in the tie.

Connelly’s turn and shot brought a fine save out of George and after the follow-up was blocked, Russell lifted his effort over the top from close range.

At the other end Steven Irwin dragged a shot just wide and as both sides pressed for a winner Stirzaker almost made a dream start as his near-post touch on an excellent Connelly cross skidded just wide.

Marine captain Niall Cummins countered with a header that flew across the face of goal and Jacob Gregory saw a last-minute chance for the Blues charged down.

But with neither side able to break the deadlock it came down to spot-kicks.

Clitheroe had the early advantage as Marine missed their first attempt.

But even though Russell and Jacob Gregory converted their efforts, Charlie Mulgrew's penalty was saved and Danny Gray and Gaul both hit the woodwork to let Marine off the hook and leave Blues to concentrate on their promotion push.

Marine: George; Joyce, Lycett, J Devine (Strickland HT), Ellison (Barai 70); Hawkins, E Devine, Irwin, Pritchard (Lindfield 66); Cummins, Barrigan. Substitutes: Woods, Mendes.

Clitheroe: King; Jackson, Dean, Stanley, Muir; Gaul, Mulgrew, Russell, Connelly (Gray 84); Gregory, Watkinson (Stirzaker 77). Substitutes: Carney, Clegg, Foulds.

Referee: Darren Strain

Attendance: 173

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