Marine 1 Bracknell Town 2
Southern League Premier South | Saturday 8th April 2023
Match Report from Aleck Everard
SLIM MARGINS GO THE ROBINS WAY AS PLAY OFF HOPES TAKE A DENT
It was a decent start for the blue and white hoops as Tyrone Duffus caused early issues for the visiting defence with a flick on and the first striker on goal came from Zack Kotwica but the effort although on target lacked the power to trouble Bracknell keeper Mike Eacott.
Ryan Campbell takes the ball off the Bracknell forward
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Eventually Marine were rewarded or so it seemed with the opening goal. After a corner was swung deep to the back-post skipper Mat Liddiard stooped to head home on 17 minutes. Then to everyone’s surprise the goal was ruled out. The linesman had signalled for an infringement on the keeper but it appeared to be mere theatrics from the big stopper that had completely fooled the assistant official. A tough call for Marine.
Bracknell keeper goes over theatrically as Mat Liddiard’s scores but it’s disallowed by the assistant?
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Charlie Searle had his first save of the game on 26 minutes before another controversial decision went Marine’s way this time just after the half hour. Mikel Platt appeared to be clipped in the box by Tyrone Duffus but the referee was having none of it and waved away the appeals.
Charlie Searle started his second game for Marine
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Not long afterwards Harry Williams broke through the back line after a neat flick on by James Harding but despite beating keeper Eacott with the shot the ball rebounded off the post. From the follow up James Harding hit a strike on target only to be denied by the leg of the keeper. That was so close for Marine and if they had scored first it who knows what could have happened?
Harry Williams broke through and hit the post
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Skipper Mat Liddiard saw yellow for hauling down Jordan Esprit on 37 before a late George Dowling cross almost landed in the goal but drifted wide before another yellow this time very harshly given on Jamie Edge after more theatrics from the away team.
Skipper Mat Liddiard saw yellow for hauling down Jordan Esprit
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Just when it seemed the first half would end in deadlock a hopeful cross into the area by Bracknell left back Ethan Burden on 45 minutes was miscued and ended up looping over Searle and into the net off the far post for a fortuitous goal and a 1-0 lead for Bracknell going in at the break.
Bracknell’s Ethan Burden scores the opening goal from a cross that hit the far post and went in for a fortuitous goal
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Such a harsh scoreline after looking the better side in the first half Marine still seemed a bit shell shocked in the second period as Bracknell came flying out of the traps to double their advantage in the 47th minute. A good team move ended up at the feet of Joe Grant who was adjudged to have beaten the offside trap, although it looked tight and most supporters that were in line expected the flag to be raised? But Grant blasted the ball home into the far corner of the net.
Joe Grant scored Bracknell’s second goal
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Marine responded with their best spell of the game and were duly rewarded on 57 minutes. Harry Williams, Henry Spalding and James Harding linked up well on the edge of the box with HAARY WILLIAMS drilling an effort past Eacott in the Bracknell goal. That was Williams’ 30th league goal on his 100th overall start for the club and a total of 35 goals for the campaign.
Harry Williams scores as he drilled his shot past Eacott in the Bracknell goal
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Marine continued to batter at the Bracknell door as the visitors tired with Henry Spalding curling one over the top on the hour. Bracknell were restricted to counter attacks and Mat Liddiard did superbly from one of these to put in a late and brave block to keep Marine in the game.
Mat Liddiard challenges two Bracknell forwards
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Bracknell’s Mickel Platt saw yellow for the visitors after a high boot on Ryan Campbell with 20 minutes left before more controversy when Harry Williams appeared to be tripped off the ball on the edge of the box only for the official to yellow card the striker with his complaint. Another harsh call went the visitors way when Harding was put through but adjudged to be offside with just the keeper to beat.
Ryan Campbell received a high boot when heading the ball
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Midweek goal scoring hero Joe Tumelty entered the game with 15 minutes left replacing Zack Kotwica and Sam Turl became the next into the book for what looked an innocuous challenge. Keeper Charlie Searle was down bravely with time running out to keep Marine in the running and it nearly proved vital when with the second ticking away a late fierce drive by Ryan Campbell looked to be heading for the top corner only for keeper Eacott to somehow get a glove on it to push over.
Sam Turl became the next into the book for what looked an innocuous challenge
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
Despite a late succession of corners and Tyrone Duffus causing havoc at set pieces Marine could not find a way through in what seemed a very short period of added time considering Bracknell had at least half a dozen players down with some form of injury in the second half. A tough result to swallow having matched a side that most likely will push for promotion right to the end.
Tyrone Duffus causing havoc at set pieces Marine
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album
The playoff chase is not mathematically over, as four wins from four may well still see Marine grab their prize but its a very tall order. The finals start now with a short trip to North Leigh, themselves fighting against the drop, on Easter Monday afternoon and that won’t be any easier than today’s encounter.
Line Ups
Swindon Supermarine
Manager: Lee Spalding
Colours: Blue & White Hoops
Line-up: 1. Charlie Searle 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell 4. Jamie Edge 5. Tyrone Duffus 6. Mat Liddiard (c) 7. Henry Spalding 8. George Dowling 9. Harry Williams 10. James Harding 11. Zack Kotwica (15. Joe Tumelty 78’)
Subs not used: 12. Zac Guinan, 14. Brad Hooper, 16. Tom Sharpe, 17. George Cowmeadow
Goalscorer: 
Harry Williams 59’
Editors Star Man: Mat Liddiard
Cards:
Mat Liddiard 37’, Jamie Edge 43’, Harry Williams 77’, Sam Turl 81’ 
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BRACKNELL TOWN
Colours: Red & Black
Managers: Jamie McClurg & Carl Withers
Line-up: 1. Michael Eacott 2. Jack Dean 3. Ethan Burden 4. Sean Fraser 5. Adam Richards (15. Dan Bayliss 68’) **6.**Liam Tack (17. Darryl Saunders 53’) 7. Joe Grant 8. George Knight 9. Jordan Esprit (12. Magnus Suen Junior Abisogun 65’) 10. Max Herbert (c) 11. Mickel Platt
Subs not used: 14. Ashley Lodge 16. Elliott Legg
Goalscorer: Ethan Burden 45’, Joe Grant 47’
Editors Star Man: Max Herbert
Cards:
Mickel Platt 73’
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Supermarine TV
Click to view highlights
Courtesy of Mike Wray
Post Match Team Sheet
Match Officials
Referee: Ollie Taylor (Bristol)
Assistant Referees: William Payne (Bristol), Ben Boardman (Unknown)
