Bideford AFC 0 Marine 0

Match Report from Pete Crockett

MARINE STAND FIRM IN DEVON STALMATE

In the soft autumnal light of a November afternoon Swindon Supermarine travelled west with a team short on numbers. The injured or unavailable were enough to field a side of their own — Sam Turl, Nick Rhodes, Olly Case, Owen Foye, Cheldon Valere, Dan Warre, Joe Beardwell, Frankie Monk, Joe Selman, and Raphael Oppong. What remained was a team asked to find order on a challenging pitch that was slippery, heavy, and bobbly.

The game’s opening movements promised life. Bideford’s Alex Moyse tested Luke Purnell early, before Marine answered — Sal Abubakar’s clever pass feeding Zach Rugman whose effort slipped just wide of the keeper’s right post. The match then retreated into itself, a midfield trench battle of effort and interception, every stride shadowed by uncertainty of footing.

The home crowd howled for a penalty on 17 minutes when Jamie Hearsay tumbled; the referee waved their protests away. Three minutes later home keeper Laurence McCormack had to be sharp to deny Sid Gbla.

Midway through the half Marine’s keeper was called into action once more, saving Harvey Field’s effort after Jamie Hearsay’s incisive run to the by-line. Marine’s last word before the interval came from another Sid Gbla chance, a back-post attempt guided wide. The whistle came with both sides having threatened but neither converting.

Seconds after half time an intricate Marine attack found Jonny Efedje whose goal bound strike was cleared off the line. On the hour mark George Alston delivered a wicked ball across the Bideford six yard box, begging for a touch that never arrived. These were the moments Marine would remember later with a twinge of regret.

Bideford, too, had their surges. Javan Wright drilled low and wide; Jamie Hearsay’s headed flick beat the keeper but not the covering Josh Grant. Scott Robinson then lifted one over Luke Purnell but also over the bar, before Javan Wright’s fierce drive was palmed away — Luke Purnell again rising to the moment. The home side, five without a win, sensed opportunity, but Marine — injury hit and unyielding — refused to break.

There was one last Marine flurry. Sal Abubakar, quick down the right, cut inside and aimed high and true. A nick off a defender and the Bideford keeper Laurence McCormack saved well. And that was that.

Credit should be given to referee Luke McFarlane and his assistants who allowed the game to flow whilst dealing with infractions in an admirably measured manner. number A point each was justice. To deny Bideford any return would have been cruel; for Marine to leave empty handed would have been harsh. Marine merited their point on the back of their third clean sheet in six.

In terms of Marine plaudits Luke Purnell was calm and faultless. Tawana Changa and Piotr Petrynski put in impressive full-back performances. Josh Grant and Josh Blyth stood resolute at the heart of defence. Young substitutes Dayo Sonoiki and Rhys Williams entered the fray with no hint of hesitation. Whilst at the heart of it all was Zach Rugman: persistent, inventive, brave — the day’s outstanding figure, undiminished even by the number of knocks he absorbed.

Marine’s travelling supporters will regret the missed chances. However, they will not question the character shown, nor the defiance. Shakespeare once wrote “sweet are the uses of adversity,” By this he meant that from tough situations much can be learned.

That was certainly the case with this Marine performance. In arduous conditions and stripped of familiar faces Marine produced a display of unyielding determination to dig deep and scrap for a result. Not a classic performance but a result of which the dressing room could justifiably be proud.

Come on Marine!

Attendance: 303

Manager:	Sean Joyce
Line-up:	Colours: Yellow & Black
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1.	Leo McCormick [GK]
2.	Archie Reay
3.	Harvey Field		62’	12.	Khrystian Wood 64’
4.	Alex Moyse
5.	Oliver Gardner
6.	Sam Wright
7.	Finn Roberts
8.	Jack Winsor (c)
9.	Scott Robinson
10.	Jamie Hearsay			15.	Ryan Turner 75’
11.	Javan Wright			17.	Jordan Ewing 75’

Editors Star Man: Javan Wright Subs not used: None

Manager:	Bobby Wilkinson
Line-up:	Colours: Blue & White Hoops
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1	Luke Purnell (c) [GK]
2	Tawana Changa			15	Rhys Williams
3	Piotr Petrynski		68’
4	Josh Grant
5	Josh Blythe
6	Zach Rugman
7	Sal Abubakar
8	Jamie Edge		54’	12	Max Hemmings 72’
9	Jonny Efedje			16	Dayo Sonoiki 72’
10	Sid Gbla
11	George Alston

Editors Star Man: Zach Rugman
Subs not used: 14 |Fareed Salifu