Match Preview: Marske United (a)

We took a look at Marske United ahead of our Boxing Day derby.

For the first time in competitive history, Redcar Athletic do battle with Marske United. at the John Keegan Stadium, and what better occasion for it than Boxing Day.

WHO ARE YA?

Marske United

Founded in 1956 by members of Marske Cricket Club, Marske United plied their trade in local leagues before earning a place in the North Riding League (then the Teesside League) in 1976.

Promotion to the Wearside League came with a stint as dominant as our own, if not better, as the Seasiders clinched the North Riding Senior Cup in 1995, and the following year a sensational quadruple.

The club was accepted into the Northern League in 1997 after the erection of floodlights at Mount Pleasant, gaining promotion to Division One on their very first attempt.

It was there the Teessiders first crossed paths with former boss, Carl Jarrett, who took the reins at the club to wild success.

A team bursting with talent the likes of Curtis Round, Adam Boyes and Kevin Burgess, Marske won promotion to the Northern Premier League East, and soon after, the Premier Division.

Life after Carl Jarrett proved somewhat challenging for the Seasiders. Marske barely survived in the Northern Premier League at the first attempt, trudging into a precarious position financially the following year.

The club withdrew from the league in December, however, with enough funds secured to preserve their future, a Northern League return was on the cards this season, as too a first ever derby with Redcar Athletic.

CURRENT FORM

Lots of red in the form guide tells you everything you need to know. This match is a must-win on both sides of the coin.

Marske United are winless in six heading into the first Coast Road derby, defeats to Redcar Town and Middlesbrough Under21s come in respective cup competitions.

A draw in Birtley remains their only point since the end of November.

For Redcar, a recent triumph in Whickham was later undone as North Shields again got the upper hand at the B&D Interiors Stadium.

The Steelmen close out the year with five straight home defeats, and thus need a little salvation on the road this afternoon.

JOIN US

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PREVIOUS HISTORY

Redcar Athletic and Marske United meet for the first time competitively this afternoon.

It’s another Boxing Day derby for the Steelmen, however, where last year spelled a trip to Phoenix Park to take on Boro Rangers.

BORO RANGERS 2-2 REDCAR ATHLETIC

Click below to read our report.

TEAM NEWS

Jack Bennett and Kevin Burgess are the only duo sidelined through injury for this afternoon’s Boxing Day special.

Adam Boyes, Curtis Round, Chay Liddle and Jack Blackford are all expected to make an appearance against their former side, as too will the returning Craig Gott.

On the other side of the halfway line, a number of familiar faces line up against Redcar Athletic too.

Marske United’s ranks contain the likes of Charlie Graham, James Sayer, Brad Mills and Danny Boyle, who played his last game for the Steelmen on this day last season.