Another disappointing result as our run extended to seven defeats in a row.

Benn was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up, effectively playing as a lone striker, though Gilly kept pushing forward to support him. Marron again lined up at right-back, with Rawsy starting alongside Leon in the centre of defence, with Wheats at left-back.

Owen lined up on the right wing, with Charlo on the left and Gelly and Burton joining Gilly in the middle.

Sadly, Rawsy only lasted about 20 minutes before picking up a knock and having to go off, to be replaced by Basher.

Synners looked dangerous early on and showed they were prepared to shoot from distance, with Lips having to get down well to save a couple of long-range efforts.

We had the ball in the net midway through the half when Benn controlled the ball and fired home but he was adjudged to have used his hand, with little protest from the Marske players.

We were struggling to keep possession and create chances and were made to pay after half an hour when Blyth hit a great shot from the edge of the box, that found the bottom corner, giving Lips no chance.

We improved a bit after that, with Owen showing a flash of what he can do, going on a run down the right and pulling the trigger from the edge of the box but a defender got a vital deflection to send the ball over the bar.

10 minutes into the second half it was 2-0 and effectively game over when an error from Marron left Blyth clean through with only Lips to beat. Lips slipped but still managed to get a leg to the ball to seemingly thwart the chance. However, Blyth was able to curl the ball home from a narrow angle and get his second of the game.

Sadly, we had very little in response and Synners could have had more, with two shots cleared off the line and Lips tipping a fantastic effort onto the bar late on.

It says a lot that Lips was (for me, at least) MOTM in a game we lost 2-0, with a couple more worldys in the bag.

We're obviously low on confidence at the moment and as a result, the performance felt flat. Sadly, that's then passed on to the fans, with the ground feeling flat as well as the home fans didn't really have anything to cheer over the 90 minutes (other than Lips's saves).

What worries me the most about the current run isn't the fact we're losing or even that we're not scoring goals. It's the fact that we've barely tested the opposition goalkeeper in recent games. If you're creating chances but don't score, that's easy to fix but if you're not creating chances at all, it's a much bigger problem and one that needs to be fixed quickly before those near the bottom start creeping up on us in the table.

On a more positive note, the lads never stopped trying yesterday. Right up to the final whistle, they kept on going, trying to find that elusive goal. The goals and results will start to come, hopefully next week against Billingham Town.

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Hi MJ we must have been doing our reports at the same time as yours wasn't there when I started mine but my brother rang me from Bournemouth in the middle of it and we were on the phone for 45 minutes at least. However we seem to have covered the same points regarding the game. We must improve though because the way we are playing and Stokesley are improving it would take a brave man to back us in that game. Two more toughies before that one mind but let's try and keep the faith.

Well summed up by both Mr MJ and PP in the other thread. I'm still struggling to get my head around how poorly we are playing at the moment compared to the great run we had earlier in the season with virtually the same team. For me, we got the right players playing but in the wrong positions. Key to this is Tommy needs to be in centre midfield and Gilly needs to be played as an out and out striker. Like PP, I would have tried Burto at left back with Wheats and Leon in the middle and Rawsy at right back.

As for the game, a young Synners side thoroughly deserved the win and played some excellent football. Marske barely created a chance throughout the 90 minutes and I'm not sure that Josh Moody had a single save to make. It really is quite worrying how few chances we are creating currently. As Mr MJ says, no doubt that Lips was MOTM for Marske though credit to Danny for picking Blyth from Synners as MOTM in the clubhouse afterwards as he had a tremendous game (not sure he was old enough to drink the beer tokens he won though?!!).

The final word must be about the ref who surely must be among the best in the league. He let the game flow, didn't allow any backchat from the players and most importantly he talked to the players, unlike the ref vs Norton who was unapproachable throughout the game.

Well said Mark especially regarding the referee and a brave shout by Danny for m.o.m.

Good shout on the referee. Probably the best I've seen this season.


One more thing to add: good luck Jimmy for the coming weeks. Hopefully we'll see you at the games very soon.

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Cheers MJ.
I'm having treatment every day this week and mon, wed, fri the following eleven weeks. It's a new treatment that I haven't had before and providing there's not too many side effects I'm hoping to get a pass out from the wife for two hours this saturday and maybe the rest of the home games but won't be allowed to travel out of the area to away games. We'll just have to wait and see.

well summed up with your match reports boys thats whats great about football everyones got an opinion on the game. As for the M.O.M i gave it to Jamie Blyth cause he never stopped running creating space and most of all he was hungry to score which was proved by bagging a brace, god only nos what the score would of been if Lips hadnt pulled off his usual worldy saves. I hope no one was offended by my choice i just thought we were 2nd best all over the pitch and i couldnt recall us even testing there goalkeeper once. The next 3 games are very important for us with 2 of them against teams below us and 6 points is needed to make sure of survial in the 1st div. we looked very flat on saturday and are in need of a lift on the park get the team sprit back that put us on that fantastic run of games Marske have a great fan base and they will back the team all the way lets just hope we turn the corner on sat and have a great run too the end of the season

Well said Danny. Let's hope the corner is turned on Saturday. For me, certainly not offended by your choice of MOTM. You gave it to the best player on the pitch, Lips was the only contender for Marske and Blyth scored twice past him!

Can only echo Martin's comments about Jimmy. Let's hope we see you at the game on Saturday.