There’s another huge game in Marske’s play off challenge on Tuesday 10th March when 4th placed Pontefract Collieries make the trip to Mount Pleasant.
Both teams drew 2-2 on Saturday with Marske drawing at Ossett United in a game they led in twice while Colls were held to a draw at home to Trafford in a game they also led twice in with Vaughan Redford grabbing both goals for the home side, the first being a penalty in a remarkable similarity to Marske’s game.
Colls currently sit 4th in the table with an overall record of played 23, won 15, drawn 4 and lost 4, scoring 43 goals and conceding 21. Their away record is excellent with 8 wins and 3 draws from 13 games.
Marske are currently 5th with 13 wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats from 24 games, with 45 goals scored and 24 conceded meaning the best and third best defensive records coming up against each other. Marske are unbeaten at home in the league with 9 wins and 3 draws in 12 games.
In terms of the form table (covering the last 6 games) it is Ponte who edge it, currently sitting in 5th place with 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat versus Marske who are in 9th place with 1 win, 3 draws and 2 defeats. Like Marske, Colls had a huge gap between games thanks to the awful weather that much of the country has suffered. Their last game prior to Saturday was a 1-0 defeat at home to Brighouse. Before that they beat Prescot Cables 3-0 at home in a game where Cables started with 10 men due to an accident on route which delayed the away players. Marske have picked up 4 points in the last 2 games having drawn 2 and lost 1 of the previous 3.
Team News: Marske should have defender Kev Burgess available for selection though there remains a doubt about Liam O’Sullivan. Louis Johnson is definitely out with ankle ligament damage.
Man to watch: Wide man James Baxendale who signed from Colls from Grantham Town at the start of the season. Baxendale, who has league experience with Doncaster Rovers and Walsall, for whom he made over 100 appearances, has also appeared for Alfreton Town, Mickleover Sports, Kidderminster Harriers and Nuneaton Borough. Baxendale is in good form currently having scored 4 times in his last 7 games, including a brace in 3-0 win against Dunston.
Kick off at Mount Pleasant on Tuesday is 7.45pm and the players and management would love to see a big crowd as the Seasiders continue their play off push.