Chertsey Town 3 Marine 4

Match Report from Pete Crockett

MARINE WIN A ROLLER COASTER OF A MATCH

With Thorpe Park not far from Chertsey Town’s Alwyns Lane ground this roller coaster of a match seemed particularly apt. This was a game that had incidents, goals, and controversy. It also had two teams with distinctively different playing styles. Marine opting to build from the back whilst Chertsey like to get the ball a little quicker into the attacking third.

Marine had the first decent opening of the match when a Gabe Reivers cross found Harry Williams in the six-yard box. The striker’s shot was on target but was blocked on the line by a defender.

On six minutes it was the hosts that took the lead. A Ollie Knight corner was flicked on at the front post and was thumped home by the advancing Simba Kudyiwa at the back post. The goal discombobulated Marine, and the hosts had a couple of decent half chances that were either hit directly at Dan Brabham or slipped wide of the post.

Then on 16 minutes some good interplay by Liban Ibrahim and Harry Williams saw a low cross hit into the home team’s penalty area. Gabe Reivers (pictured above) got a yard ahead of his marker to lash the ball home and score his fourth league goal of the campaign.

The goal saw Marine regain their equilibrium and they started to take control of the match. Marine got a second when a lofted cross bounced awkwardly in the penalty area. The bouncing ball was adjudged to have been handled by the Curfews left back Connor Lee. Michael Fernandes took the spot kick and sent the keeper the wrong way as he slotted his effort to the keeper’s left.

Minutes later Marine had a penalty claim so stonewall that it was of “Hadrianesque” proportions. Harry Williams surged into the area with the ball at his feet. He was scythed down from behind. Virtually all at the ground expected the shrill blast of the official’s Acme Thunderer and his pointing to the spot. However, referee Chris Poole awarded a goal kick that, suffice it to say, left most dumbfounded.

On 45 minutes Marine scored a third. Some wonderful trickery from Michael Fernandes saw him surge to the dead ball line near the corner flag. He knocked a perfect left-wing cross to the back post where Harry Williams rose like a phoenix. He placed his precision header back across the goal into the far top corner.

The early exchanges of the second half were going to be critical. It was likely Marine were going to have to withstand an onslaught of attacks from the home team. As expected, that is exactly what happened as the hosts surged forward relentlessly with brio and zeal. In the 53rd minute a loose pass from Marine’s Zack Kotwica was intercepted by the home team’s Jack Mazzone who from 18-yards drilled his effort into the top corner of the goal.

Then with 56 minutes elapsed Chertsey Town were on level terms. Isaac Olorunfemi drove a cross to the front post. Marine centre back Ioan Richards and keeper Dan Brabham tried to intercept. The ball deflected off the centre back’s foot and obligingly looped into the path of Jack Mazzone who, unmarked at the back post, thumped the ball home from close range.

For the next ten minutes Marine had to batten down the hatches. The Marine penalty area seemed liked a vortex for the ball with crosses pinging in from all angles. As fast as Marine tried to clear the ball back it came again. The Marine travelling support behind the goal were decidedly fearful that it was only a matter of time before the Curfews took the lead. The home team support was voluble, and it seemed they were almost sucking the ball into the back of the Marine net.

However, the Marine players dug deep and slowly but surely restored their composure. Referee Chris Poole was having a tough old day. In the 75th minute host keeper Jack Smith spilled a cross and then as Marine’s Sam Turl advanced on the ball he was chopped to the ground. Both sets of players looked to the official. The home team, with a fair degree of justification, felt there was a strong case for a foul on their keeper. Meanwhile Marine, for the second time in the match, believed there was a clear-cut hewing of one of their players in the penalty area. To the stupefaction of both sets of players the referee allowed the game to continue.

On 81 minutes Marine regained their lead. Liban Ibrahim played the ball to Harry Williams and the Marine striker surged towards goal. His striking partner Dave Sims-Burgess made an intelligent run off the ball that took two defenders with him. This led to the host’s defence splitting open and creating a space for Harry Williams to continue his advance. Then as he approached the edge of the area and in front of goal, he drew back his foot and slid the ball past the keeper and inside his right-hand post.

Still events were not finished. In the 88th minute the host’s Louis Birch was shown a straight red card for a strong challenge on Marine’s Gabe Reivers. Then Dan Brabham made an excellent close range save when it appeared a home team player was going to equalise. With a minute remaining the game nearly had a crazy finale. Chertsey’s keeper went up field for a corner. He got on the end of it but to Marine’s relief his headed effort went wide of the post.

At the final whistle Chertsey Town will feel unlucky not to have secured at least a point from the match. Their early second half fightback showed an abundance of character with striker Jack Mazzone scoring two and looking a real threat. Ultimately their poorer first half performance proved their undoing. For Marine this was a battling victory. There will not be many sides visit Chertsey Town this season and win. Marine will feel their first half performance, combined with the ability to dig deep when on the ropes, warranted the three points.

Trying to identify a Marine player of the match I came up with a short list of five. Gabe Reivers put in a really good shift that mixed tenacity, skill and yet another goal. For a young player to cope so well in such a physically demanding game was admirable. Liban Ibrahim was perpetual energy, used the ball well, and dug deep when the going got tough. Zack Kotwica had an excellent game and, more importantly, showed real depth of character following the mishap for the second goal.

Michael Fernandes who converted from the penalty spot and provided the cross for Marine’s third was a thorn in the home defence’s side. He has this invaluable quality of being able to conjure an opening from nothing. Harry Williams now has seven goals in six successive league matches. His header for the third goal was inch perfect. His second a tremendous run and finish. He led the line with vitality and an abundance of skill.

This was a morale boosting victory against a strong opponent. However, it will be essential that Marine approach their next two home league games with a similarly tenacious, determined, and skilled approach.

Come on Marine!

Chertsey Star Man: Jack Mazzone
Marine Star Man: Harry Williams
Attendance: 496

Line Ups

CHERTSEY TOWN
Colours: Blue & White
Manager: Mark Harper
Line-up: 1. Jack Smith 2. Isaac Olorunfemi 3. Conor Lee 4. Louis Birch 5. Callum Duffy 6. Simba Kudyiwe 7. Louis Degand (12. Lewis Flatman 73’) 8. Luke Robertson (c) 9. Jack Mazzone 10. Wayne Ridgley (14. Toby Little 64’) 11. Ollie Knight
Subs Not Used: 15. Reuben Collins, 17. Paul McCarthy (GK), 19. Luke Neville
Goalscorers: Simba Kudyiwe 9’ , Jack Mazzone 52’, 56’
Cards:
Callum Duffy 63’, Luke Robertson 66’
Louis Birch 88’
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SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: All Yellow
Line-up: 1. Dan Brabham 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell 4. Jake Lee 5. Ioan Richards 6. Liban Ibrahim 7. Zack Kotwica 8. Gabe Reivers 9. Harry Williams 10. Michael Fernandes 11. Olly Mehew (12._Dave Sims-Burgess 69’)
Subs not used: 13. Luke Purnell 14. Lucias Vine, 15. Cheldon Valere
Goalscorers: Gabe Reivers 16’ , Michael Fernandes 33’pen , Harry Williams 45’, 81’
Cards:
Ioan Richards 48’, Gabe Reivers 90+1’
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Match Gallery

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Courtesy of Alex White Photography

Post Match Teamsheet

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Courtesy of Southern Football League

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Poole
Assistant Referees: Chad Greaturex, Ricky Ansher