Marine creating more headlines in FA Cup

15 Oct 2021 By James Gordon

As a 20-year-old, Bayleigh Passant became a non-league star for his efforts in the Emirates FA Cup, pictured collecting the drinks from the local shop following the club’s second round victory over Havant and Waterlooville at the Marine Travel Arena.

The club also defeated the likes of Colchester and Chester in their dream cup run in 2020/21, before hosting eight-time FA Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur behind-closed-doors.

Those lucky enough to live on the back of the ground were able to see some of the Premier League’s biggest stars, and Bayleigh Passant faced former England ‘keeper Joe Hart in the opposite net.

Their impressive run came to an end with a 5-0 defeat to then-Jose Mourinho’s side, an experience that will stay with Passant forever.

“It’s crazy to think that it’s almost been a year since the FA Cup from last season,” he said.

“It’s still the best achievement that I’ve had in my football career to date. I still reflect on it as a 20-year-old keeper to have that under my belt and that experience has helped me for the future to put me in the right direction to develop my game and try to play higher with the experience I gained from it.

“It’s one I have looked back on fondly about last year’s cup run and it’s pushing me to hopefully get the right result on Saturday to get into the First Round Proper of the FA Cup and make more memories and great achievements. But it’s also helps us with our league form and putting us in a good position to fight for the league title.”

Marine will host Wrexham, recently taken over by Hollywood’s Ryan Reynolds and ‘Always Sunny In Philadelphia’ writer and star Rob McElhenney, for a spot in the first round of the cup.

Wrexham currently sit 12th in the National League table, while Marine have enjoyed league success so far, sitting second, and defeating Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit Atherton Collieries in the previous round.

“It’s a massive game on Saturday and also a massive test for us as a team,” said Passant.

“We know that Wrexham have recently been taken over and are trying to push for promotion this year and have brought in some top quality players in for the season.

“For example, Paul Mullin last season in League Two was top goal scorer, so we know as a defensive unit we can’t switch off otherwise we will get punished.

“Of course we are looking forward to the challenge. It’s another big game to express ourselves as individuals but collectively as a team.”

Also featuring the FA Cup this weekend are Buxton, Marske United, Pontefract Collieries, Stamford and Morpeth Town.

Where next?

NPL Show - 4th Qualifying Special All 6 managers in the FA Cup this weekend speak to Ben Hughes

Owen Watkinson previews “massive” FA Cup clash with Wrexham Pitching In Northern Premier League West Division side Marine play hosts to Wrexham this weekend in the Emirates FA Cup fourth qualifying round.