Marine AFC is gearing up for an important match as they face Woking in the FA Trophy quarter-finals. The game is set for Saturday, February 28, with kick-off at 15:00 at Rossett Park. This clash marks the last fixture for February and presents an opportunity for both teams to advance in the competition.
FA Trophy Journey
Woking has made a solid run to the quarter-finals, defeating several teams along the way. Their victories include:
- AFC Totton – 2-0 in the third round.
- Macclesfield – 2-1 in the fourth round.
- Walton and Hersham – progressing through a hard-fought match in round five.
In the latest encounter, Gbodé scored just three minutes into his debut. O’Brien added a second goal in the 35th minute. Despite Walton scoring late, Woking secured their spot in the quarter-finals.
Historic Matchup
Woking and Marine are not strangers to each other in this competition. The two clubs last met in the FA Trophy in 1980, where Woking claimed a 2-0 victory away from home. With this history, Woking aims to repeat their success as they strive for their fourth FA Trophy title, previously won in 1994, 1995, and 1997.
Marine AFC Analysis
Currently, Marine AFC sits 10th in the National League North standings. They have recorded 14 wins, six draws, and 12 losses, totaling 48 points. They are just four points shy of the playoff spots, indicating a potential for a top-seven finish this season.
Marine’s FA Trophy journey has also included notable match outcomes:
- Defeated Tamworth in the fifth round following a goalless draw, winning 4-1 on penalties.
- Overcame Gloucester City in the fourth round via a penalty shootout.
In their pursuit for the FA Trophy, Marine has been strong at home, remaining unbeaten across their last seven games in all competitions. However, they are looking to recover from a recent 4-0 defeat against Kidderminster Harriers.
Player Spotlight
One key player for Marine is George Newell. He returned to the club this season after a successful tenure at Bala FC. Throughout his career with Marine, which includes two previous loan spells, he has made a significant impact, scoring nine goals. He is currently joint top scorer for the team this season, alongside Finlay Sinclair-Smith, both of whom will be pivotal in the upcoming match against Woking.
As both teams prepare, the FA Trophy quarter-final promises to be an exciting encounter. With a history of competition and a shared goal of reaching Wembley, all eyes will be on Rossett Park this Saturday.
