At first glance this game would look like a rout to the Seasiders, but the scoreline really did not reflect what was a good competitive game, both teams enjoying lots of possession and play. So what was the difference? An in form strikeforce for Marske (Onions) which managed to unnerve and unsettle Hordens' 'back four' and put away every chance that fell to them, quite literally.

Horden enjoyed their opportunities but as has been for much of the season, failed to capitalise when it was important, the inability to put the ball in the net continues to haunt us.

Marske took first blood on 30 minutes when David Onions sidestepped Di Lella and scored. This followed chances for Philip Ross, Willy Crew, Darren Atkinson, Roy Allen and Mark Stephenson to open Hordens' account without success. Then on 35 minutes with some brilliant play from Darren Atkinson on the left, he put in a testing ball to Roy Allen who, back to goal, turned and scored with his left foot. 1-1. Six minutes later Craig Stephens crucial block kept Horden in the game.

A bad start to the second half saw Horden concede almost immediately from the kick off, again a David Onions strike. In the 51st good work in the centre of midfield, Andy Allen to Atkinson to Roy Allen who put the ball into the back post and Willie Crew really should have done better, it only needed a touch. On 53mins Andy Allen should have scored when he backheeled on the line. Marske scored again through Brodie-Myers on 62mins and Horden continued to press switching to a 3-5-2 formation. In the 68th minute Crew squared the ball to Hoey who ballooned it over the bar from a yard out and then in the 72nd and 75th minutes Horden managed to blare the ball along the goal line when it only needed a touch to score. Marskes fourth goal (Onions) was very questionably offside but an unsighted referee had little support from his assistant. Finally Rafferty pulled off a great save in the 87th minute to conclude the match.

We will feel disappointed with the scoreline but time for players to be honest and take responsibility for their performances looking into the midweek challenge v Dunston.