Farnborough 0 Marine 1

MARINE LEAVE IT LATE

[by Swindon Advertiser]
Harry Williams found himself in the right place at most certainly the right time on Saturday as playoff hopefuls Swindon Supermarine snatched three huge points from mid-table Farnborough in Hampshire.

Home ‘keeper Liam Beach could only fist a Conor McDonaghshot from a tight angle to his left directly into the path of Marine’s proven goalscorer Williams. Williams’ 91st minute winner ensured Lee Spalding’s side jumped up to third place in the Southern League’s Premier Division and in turn leapfrogged Tiverton Town – who could only draw at home to Wimborne Town.

The visitors’ goalscorer wasn’t the only hero on the pitch at full time, though. Martin Horsell must take a great deal of credit after he saved a penalty during the second half after Michael Hopkins was adjudged to have fouled lively winger Reggie Young but the keeper pushed Andrew Sealey-Harris’spot kick around the post.

In conditions that didn’t suit a free-flowing game of football, Spalding was understandably thrilled to pick up another three points. He said: “It was a very workmanlike performance from us in tricky conditions, the pitch was terrible on the wings.

“But we competed well and showed a good attitude, we defended well all game too. We had a few decent opportunities too. “We could’ve been better in the final third, but conditions weren’t great so you can understand why that quality we expect wasn’t there. “It’s a fantastic win and a clean sheet away from home, which was the order of the day.”

As mentioned, Saturday’s win has lifted Marine into the top half of the play-off frame – though chasing teams Tiverton Town, Taunton Town and Salisbury all have at least two games in hand.

It makes Tuesday night’s visit of form club Hayes and Yeading vital if Marine are to really kick on from the teams in and around the position they currently occupy. And after registering a timely clean sheet away from home – Marine’s first since January 18 – Spalding would certainly welcome another strong defensive display against a team that has proven its scoring ability.

He added: “Players have done fantastically well to get the club in the position it’s in at this stage of the season, so credit to them. “We wanted to progress on last season in August and had sights on a top 10 finish. At the moment, we’re overachieving from those targets at the start of the season. “I’ve said it before, but we need to concentrate on our next game. If we think too far ahead of ourselves, we could become unstuck – any team can do that.

HT: 0-0
FT: 0.1
Att: 328

MATCH VIDEO

Highlights

Video Courtesy of Your Sport Swindon

MATCH STATISTICS

FARNBOROUGH
Manager: Spencer Day
Line-up: 1. Liam Beach 2. Tom Leggett 3. John Oyenuga 4. Courtney Fern 5. Sean Francis 6. Bradley Pearce 7. Andrew Sealey-Harris (12. Barnard Tanner 80m) 8. Louis Dunne 9. Connor Cullen 16. David Fitzpatrick (10. Rene Howe 74m) 11. Reggie Young
Subs not used: 14. Youel Emmanual, 15. Bryan Akongo, 18. Daniel Fosu
Goalscorers: None
Star Man: Reggie Young
Cards:
None

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SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Manager: Lee Spalding
Line-up: 1. Martin Horsell 2. Louis Spalding 3. Michael Hopkins 4. Jamie Edge 5. Matt Williams 6. Mat Liddiard (c) 7. Alex Henshall (17. Henry Spalding 56m) 8. Calvin Dinsley 9. Harry Williams (12. Joe Shepherd 91m) 10. Conor McDonagh 11. Ryan Campbell
Subs not used: 14. Matt Coupe 15. Brad Hooper 16. Stuart Fleetwood

Goalscorers: Harry Williams 90+1m
Star Man: Calvin Dinsley
Cards:
Ryan Campbell 87m

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MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Michael Begley (Ealing)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Crichlow (Carlshalton), Matthew Norton (Cheshunt)