Marine 1 Bath City 2

MATCH REPORT from ALECK EVERARD

MARINE SHOW WELL AGAINST NATIONAL LEAGUE HIGH FLYERS

In the final pre-season game ahead of the new season Supermarine took on National League South promotion challengers Bath City at the Webbswood Stadium which saw a healthy crowd in the blazing September sun.

Marine had [Conor McDonagh] (https://swindonsupermarinefc.com/conor-mcdonagh) back in the line-up from midweek with Joe Joe Shepherd returning to the squad after injury.

Conor McDonagh gets the better of the Bath defender
Photo © Jeff Youd Photography
Match Album

Zack Kotwica had an early strike tipped over by Ryan Clarke in the City goal before Mat Liddiard kept out a good shot from Donovan Wilson. A good chance went begging on 10 minutes when Wilson put his shot wide while well placed before he was forced off with injury after 15 minutes.

Jamie Edge challenges Bath’s Tom Smith
Photo © Jeff Youd Photography
Match Album

Marine had made a solid start against their visitors and although City had the majority of possession the Spitfires were looking dangerous on the break., Zack Kotwica in particular was causing Bath issues. Put in by Lee Marshall but was straying just offside and then on the half hour going down in the box after a 1-2 with Ryan Campbell but there was nothing doing with the officials.

Edge is now getting closer to Tom Smith
Photo © Jeff Youd Photography
Match Album

Martin Horsell was called in action for the first time by a low shot from substitute Lloyd James but overall it was a terrific first half defensive display as the sides went in level at the break.

HT: 0-0

Marine made a change just into the second half with Pierce Mitchel on for Marshall with Liddiard moving into midfield.

Williams prepares to cross the ball to McDonagh for the goal that was disallowed for offside?
Photo © Jeff Youd Photography
Match Album

Bath looked to step it up a gear and Mitchel had to settle in quickly and clear a chance off the line. Eventually the pressure told on the hour after an excellent double save by Martin Horsell from one of the four trialists fell the ball fell kindly to Tom Smith who made no mistake firing into the top corner.

Was it offside or not?
Photo © Jeff Youd Photography
Match Album

Marine made more changes with Michael Hopkins, Harry Williams, Henry Spaldingand Joe Shepherd on for Louis Spalding, Kotwica, Stanley and Brad Hooper as the gaffer looked to give all his squad some game time.

McDonagh puts the ball in the net
Photo © Jeff Youd Photography
Match Album

With 15 minutes to go a cross from the right deflected off Jake Lee and Shepherd couldn’t keep the ball from going across the line to take the own goal himself. A 2-0 scoreline was harsh on the hosts but the last 15 minutes belonged to the Marine.

After a short hesitation the assistant puts his flag up?
Photo © Jeff Youd Photography
Match Album

A neat interchanging of passes down the left wing saw Williams cross for McDonagh who netted for a tap in but it was adjudged to be offside by the assistant referee but it was in a very, very tight call?

Liddiard heads home our late goal
Photo © Jeff Youd Photography
Match Album

Marine continued to pile on some late pressure and were finally rewarded when LIDDARD headed in Jamie Edge’s corner at the back post. Indeed, in injury time there was some brief panic in the Bath City ranks as they scrambled away another good ball in but the National League side held on for the victory.

McDonagh congratulates Lid’s on his goal
Photo © Jeff Youd Photography
Match Album

Overall it had been an excellent showing against top quality opponents and the pre-season campaign came to an end with some really promising signs and most importantly the squad as a whole looking very strong indeed going into next week’s opener at Farnborough. Some tough team selections ahead - although no doubt all the squad will be needed in another long campaign - they have showed they all have a part to play with their displays.

FT: 1-2

MATCH LINEUPS

SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Manager: Lee Spalding
Line-up: 1. Martin Horsell 2. Jack Stanley (18. Joe Shepherd 66m) 3. Louis Spalding (16. Michael Hopkins 58m) 4. Jamie Edge 5. Jake Lee 6. Mat Liddiard (c) 7. Lee Marshall (19. Pierce Mitchell 47m) 8. Brad Hooper (17. Henry Spalding 66m) 9. Zack Kotwica (12 Harry Williams) 11. Ryan Campbell (16. Rhys Wells 85m)
Subs not used: (15. Tommy Ouldridge)
Goals: Mat Liddiard
Star Man: Mat Liddiard
Cards:
None
None
None

BATH CITY
Manager: Jerry Gill
Line-up: 1. Ryan Clarke 2. Callum Evans 3. Trialist 1 4. Dan Ball 5. Jason Pope (Trialist 3 46m) 6. Freddie Grant 7. Frankie Artus 8. Ryan Harley (14. Tom Richards 64m) 9. Tom Smith 10. Donovan Wilson ( 12. Lloyd James 15m) 11. Trialist (16. Trialist 64m)
Subs not used: 17. Will Henry [GK]
Goals: Tom Smith Joe Shepherd 73m og
Star Man: Ryan Clarke
Cards:
None
None
None

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS from YOUR SPORT SWINDON

POST MATCH WITH LEE SPALDING from YOUR SPORT SWINDON

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Daniel Lamport (Swindon)
Assistant Referees: Roger Smith (Chippenham), Dan Spyer (Swindon)
4th Official: Sam Read (Swindon)