Marine captain Cummins: Promotion target after FA Cup heartbreak

By Luke Feather

“There is an aura of confidence around the squad at present,” says Marine skipper Niall Cummins.

“Not that we think we are superior to any opposition, but simply that we trust each other to give 100% for each other.”

Cummins is a name that will go down in Marine folklore.

He’s the captain who helped to provide the club with the most historic run in their history.

His 120^th minute winner against Havant & Waterlooville in the second round of last season’s FA Cup set up a mammoth tie against Premier League Tottenham Hotspur, who led the top division at the time of the draw.

While Marine were ultimately knocked out of football’s oldest cup competition, the impact of that FA Cup run has lived on.

The Mariners came within touching distance of having their name in the hat for the first round proper once again this year.

But they conceded a last gasp equaliser in the fourth qualifying round against National League Wrexham, and then lost the replay 2-0.

The fact Marine, who play in the Northern Premier League West Division, had an expectation around the team in a game against opposition three leagues their superior speaks volumes about the progress the club has made.

Cummins, a secondary school PE teacher by day, says there is a new aura of confidence about the team, believing they can beat anyone on their day.

He said: “We gained a lot of new supporters who have been eager to come down and watch us along with the original Marine faithful, which has boosted attendances tenfold.

“Players want to play in front of bigger crowds, and this has spurred on all players to want to give something back to the fans.”

Marine currently sit third in the eighth tier of English football, four points behind leaders Mossley with two games in hand.

Captain Cummins believes teams are more determined to beat Marine this season, due to media attention the Crosby club have enjoyed.

However, this is a challenge the Mariners welcome and thrive under, with the 34-year-old enjoying buzz around the dressing room.

“This Marine group has the ability to fit in to most squads in the two leagues above and that has been shown by the number of teams we have defeated from the leagues above in the past two seasons.

“It has not been luck that has got us through each game.”

At the helm at Marine is manager Neil Young, who has been at the club since 2018.

Cummins praised Young’s “meticulous micromanagement”, drawing attention to his manager’s ability to keep the squad on their toes.

The Mariners squad is relatively young, with key players such as Neil Kengni, Alex Doyle, Owen Watkinson and Mark Howarth all under 22.

This fact may discourage some managers, but Young is of the opinion if you are good enough, then you are old enough.

Cummins added: “Neil is very calculated in everything he does, from recruitment, focused training sessions, scouting network and matchday tactics and formations.

“He isn’t afraid to change a winning team to either suit the opposition we next play, or prevent complacency setting in.”

Looking forward, the most important goal for giant-killing Marine is promotion back to the Northern Premier League.

Having recruited impressively during the past couple of seasons, Marine have created a fearless, competitive and winning mentality around the group.

The likes of Cummins have experienced success previously and the younger players are eager to earn their own accolades.

Having won two promotions with Curzon Ashton, Cummins is no stranger to winning.

Now he is looking to add yet another promotion to his CV with Merseyside’s most exciting non-league team.

(Images courtesy of Susan Nugent)