Harrow Boro 1 Marine 3

Match Report from Aleck Everard

HARRY SHOOTS DOWN HARROW FIGHTBACK

Swindon Supermarine were back on the road again as they began a double header down in London with a trip to Harrow Borough who had conquered them in their superb FA Trophy run earlier this season in controversial circumstances. Manager Lee Spalding opted for just the one alteration starting Conor McDonagh in place of Zack Kotwica up front in what was a more attacking formation than the previous two games in the past week.

This tactic paid off instantly when from a long goal kick by Josh Gould in the third minute home keeper Jacob Knightbridge peddled back furiously to catch the ball only to collide with the post and drop the ball at the feet of CONOR MCDONAGH who slotted the ball past the home keeper for his 8th goal of the season on his 130th appearance for the club. Marine were flying and following another good team move the ball fell at the feet of McDonagh in front of goal but his effort went high and wide.

Marine keeper Josh Gould was called into action when Jonny Allotey broke away down the left and his effort was palmed away by Gould with an excellent save for a corner. Next to try his hand in a very open game was Harry Williams who was put clean through by Joe Tumelty, and you would have bet your house on him scoring but the keeper made amends for his earlier error to deny Williams with a smart save.

The visiting pressure continued with a series of corners and from the last of these Henry Spalding dropped a deep one to the back stick which was powered home by the head of skipper MAT LIDDIARD from close range and with twenty-one minutes gone and it was 2-0 to Marine, a similar position to the previous Saturday at Beaconsfield. This was justice for the skipper who scored for the first time this season as his previous goal had been chalked off in that FA Trophy game against Harrow Borough earlier in the season very unjustly by many spectators that night.

On thirty-four minutes Joe Tumelty went into the book for a late challenge and by this time Harrow were having a better spell in the game. With the tall centre forward Anointed Chukwu up top he powered through the Marine back line only to see his effort brilliantly saved low down to his left by Josh Gould. Despite the hosts ending the half stronger Marine went into the changing rooms happy that their hard work had so far been rewarded with a two goal lead.

Into the second period and the worst start possible for Marine. A lovely team move down the left by Borough saw the ball reach the back post and KAI BROSNAN had a simple tap in. Harrow had pegged a goal back out of nowhere, and then to make matters worse Will Tunnicliff pulled up with what looked a hamstring strain as he attacked down the left wing. Manager Spalding leapt into action, not only to replace Tunnicliff but also to make a tactical tweak with Brad Hooper replacing Conor McDonagh with Ryan Campbell dropping back to left and Zack Kotwica coming on to play up the left wing.

The hosts were now pushing hard for an equaliser but Marine looked dangerous on the break. They were defending and blocking well with loanee Malik Sesay in just his third game for the club holding the line with Liddiard against what was now a a lively front line for Harrow. But Marine rallied and Ryan Campbell’s run and cross with 20 minutes to go saw the dangerous Harry Williams have a header deflected just wide and with Henry Spalding providing a continual supply of dangerous balls it was just a matter of the time before the striker killed the game.

On seventy-five minutes **HARRY WILLIAMS did just that, when he twisted this way and that before eventually lining up a shot on the edge of the box that flew past the Knightbridge and shot down the hosts hopes of any comeback. It was typical of the striker this season, producing that extra level of class when required for his 31st goal of the season!

For the remainder of the match Williams continued to torment the back line and looked to be hacked down in the box soon after for a clear spot kick but incredibly nothing was given by the referee. Harrow’s George Moore went into the book for persistent fouling as Marine cruised to a 3-1 win with the excellent Henry Spalding replaced in injury time by James Harding after treatment for a knee injury.

A brilliant three points on the road to set the playoff chase alight, now sitting in 6th place and just two points behind Poole Town, who occupy the last playoff place, with a game in hand. Is something special going to happen this season? We have the ability, lets hope we can carry out the application! A great combination against Harrow on the day, which consisted of hard work, individual skill some clever managerial tactics when needed, everyone played their part to ensure this important win. Next up the second part of the London double header, away at Hayes & Yeading United on Tuesday night.

Attendance: 213

Line Ups

Harrow Borough
Manager: Steve Baker
Colours: All Red
Line-up: 1. Jacob Knightbridge 2. Olatunbosun Adenola 3. Jaden Sharman (12. Maxxime Ndambi 75’) 4. Shaun Preddie (c) 5. Sonny Hart 6. Billy Leonard 7. George Moore 8. Johnny Allotey 9. Anointed Chukwu 10. Kai Omoko Brosnan 11. Kamon-Sherrell Assidjo (15. Hani Berchiche 64’)
Subs not used: 13. Charles Taylor [GK], 14. Marc Charles-Smith
Goalscorer: Kai Omoko Brosnan 49’
Editors Star Man: Johnny Allotey
Cards:
George Moore 84’
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Swindon Supermarine
Manager: Lee Spalding
Colours: All Blue
Line-up: 1. Josh Gould 2. Sam Turl 3. Will Tunnicliff (14. Brad Hooper 60’) 4. Jamie Edge 5. Malik Sesay 6. Mat Liddiard (c) 7. Henry Spalding (12. James Harding 90’ 8. Joe Tumelty 9. Harry Williams 10. Conor McDonagh (17. Zack Kotwica 60’) 11. Ryan Campbell
Subs not used: 15. Leon Morrison
Goalscorers: Conor McDonagh 3’, Mat Liddiard 21’, Harry Williams 75’
Editors Star Man: Mat Liddiard
Cards:
Joe Tumelty 34’
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Supermarine TV

Highlights
Courtesy of Mike Wray

Post Match Team Sheet

Team Sheet

Match Officials

Referee: Vladyslav Bakulin
Assistant Referees: Daryl Ann, Liam Chick