Marske started the game brightly and won an early free kick in the 2nd minute. The delivery into the box looked promising, but Guisborough dealt with it comfortably and cleared their lines.

In the 7th minute, Marske were awarded another free kick in a similar area. Once again, the ball was played into the danger zone, but it failed to trouble the defence. Shortly after, Marske conceded a free kick of their own, giving Guisborough the opportunity to push forward.

By the 13th minute, tensions were rising. Guisborough’s centre-back was shown a yellow card after pulling down a Marske attacker who was attempting to break through on goal. It was a clear foul and a deserved booking, halting what could have been a dangerous move.

Guisborough responded in the 16th minute with a dangerous attack of their own. A low, driven ball was drilled across the face of goal, flashing through the six-yard box with no attacker able to apply the finishing touch. However, the pressure resulted in a corner kick.

Marske continued to look threatening from set pieces. In the 25th minute, another free kick was whipped into the box, but once again it came to nothing as the Guisborough defence stood firm.

The biggest chance of the half up to that point came in the 28th minute for Guisborough. Their number 11 received the ball on the edge of the penalty area, took an excellent first touch to shift it out of his feet, and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. With time and space, he blazed his effort over the crossbar, much to Marske’s relief.

Two minutes later, in the 30th minute, Guisborough delivered a deep cross that travelled all the way to the back post. The ball forced Algie into action, and he reacted well to make a save and keep the score level.

Guisborough’s pressure finally paid off in the 38th minute. Number 11 picked up the ball on the left wing, cut inside onto his right foot, and unleashed a curling effort that flew into the top right corner. It was a superb strike that left Algie with no chance and gave Guisborough a 1–0 lead going into half-time.

At the start of the second half, Marske looked to respond. In the 53rd minute, a cross was whipped into the box and landed perfectly on Rowe’s head, but his effort went just over the bar.

In the 60th minute, Marske had another opportunity from a free kick. The ball was delivered into the area, and a free header was won inside the box. Unfortunately, the attempt went straight at the goalkeeper, who gathered it comfortably.

Guisborough threatened again in the 70th minute with a free kick of their own. The ball was whipped into the box, and a Guisborough player managed to get his head to it, but his effort drifted wide of the post.

As the game entered its final stages, Marske pushed for an equaliser. In the 82nd minute, a long free kick was launched into the box. The Guisborough defence cleared it, allowing them to break quickly, but the counter-attack came to nothing.

Deep into stoppage time, in the 90+3 minute, Marske had one final chance from a free kick on the halfway line. The ball was sent into the area, and Marron rose highest to win the header, but his effort went over the bar.

Shortly after, the final whistle blew. It finished Guisborough 1–0 Marske, but a performance that Paul Burton and his management team could be proud of on their first game at the helm.