First-half horror show sees Boro slump to 3-1 home loss against fellow strugglers Marine
A first-half horror show did the damage for Scarborough Athletic, as despite an improved display after the break they lost 3-1 to Marine on a chilly Tuesday night.
Following a poignant service before kick-off to mark Armistice Day, the game set off at a frenetic pace, with Dom Tear seeing an early effort blocked for the home side when well placed, while at the other end a fizzing low ball across by George Kattah was held by Boro keeper Ryan Whitley. Home defender Jake Hull then had to be alert to deny Carlos Dos Santos with a precise sliding challenge as the visitors continued to press.
Marine nearly took the lead on 8 minutes when a chipped ball into the danger area dropped for Matthew Whittingham to attempt to round keeper Ryan Whitley, but the Boro man held his nerve to divert it away from danger. Shortly afterwards, the visitors almost capitalised on a slight moment of indecision by Jake Hull which left George Kattah bearing down on goal, but the Marine striker could only blaze over the bar.
In their few forays forward, Boro were struggling to really test Marine keeper Jack McIntyre, as Alex Purver lifted over when well placed.
The visitors went on to a deserved lead just before the half-hour mark when Fin Sinclair-Smith cut in from the left to fire at goal from the edge of the penalty area, the effort spiralling past Whitley off a trailing leg.
The hosts tried to respond quickly, as Jack Waldron sent a dangerous ball in from the right, before a low free-kick from Rio Allan was blocked.
With the game edging towards the break, Marine struck a key double blow to grab the initiative.
The lead was increased on 42 minutes as Boro missed several chances to stop a cross from the left that was flicked on at near post to give the energetic Kattah the chance to steer calmly into the bottom corner.
A third goal quickly followed as the impressive Carlos Dos Santos drove through a beleaguered Boro defence, leading to a first time curling strike from George Newell hitting the back of the net just before the half time whistle went.
After a lacklustre opening half, Boro boss Jono Greening rang the changes after the break, with Dom Tear and Kieran Weledji brought off for Harry Green and Mo Fadera.
It was Green who nearly made an instant impact, skimming a low drive that flicked the left hand post on its way wide.
The sub tried again shortly after with a curling effort that hit the crossbar this time, as the Seadogs showed much more promise going forwards.
Ten minutes into the second half the hosts made their pressure count, as a corner from the right was bundled in by Will Thornton lurking at the back post to give the Boro fans something to cheer.
Allan came really close to making it 3-2, with his trademark dart in from the right to rifle an effort that slammed into the crossbar.
Fadera shot wide as Boro attempted a late rally, with Josh McDonald coming on for his debut.
But it was too little, too late as the Seadogs slipped to an eighth defeat of the league campaign.
Boro: Whitley, Weledji (Fadera 46’), Thornton (c), Allan, Purver Hannan (McDonald 85’), Colville (Maloney 70’), Wiles, Tear (Green 46’), Brown, Waldron, Hull.
Goal: Thornton 55’.
Marine: McIntyre, Abankwah, Doyle, Drysdale, Sinclar-Smith, Newell (Jolley 78’), Kattah (Potter 87’), Wardle (c), Raikhy, Dos Santos, Whittingham (Huby 83’).
Goals: Sinclair-Smith (27’), Kattah (42’), Newell (45’).
Boro MOM – Harry Green.