Marine 1 Forest Green Rovers 2

Match Report from Aleck Everard

SOLID DISPLAY CAPS FINE WEEKEND

Marine played their second game in less than 24 hours when they entertained newly promoted EFL1 side Forest Green Rovers at the Webbswood Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Manager Lee Spalding made a few alterations as expected from Friday nights starting eleven with Lewis Hall, Tom Sharpe, George Dowling and James Harding all coming in from the start.

George Dowling and Sam Turl double up on the Rovers player
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

Rovers as one would expect dominated the early possession with Josh March forcing Connor Johns into an early save. Marine had a great chance on fifteen minutes when excellent wing play by Conor McDonagh saw James Harding poke the ball just wide of the far post from an acute angle at the near post with Forest Green keeper Lewis Thomas and a couple of defenders left stranded.

Connor Johns can’t stop Josh March’s opening goal for Rovers
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

Five minutes later clever team play opened the Marine defence and with JOSH MARCH just on side he slotted the ball home as he wrong footed Connor Johns home for the first goal on twenty minutes. Marine were not deterred and came back with an instant reply to stun their visitors. With the ball on the right side of the box Zack Kotwicahad a couple of shots blocked before the ball ended up on the left wing and with Ryan Campbell who beat his defender to send a fierce shot goal bound. Forest Green keeper Thomas repelled his shot it was striker JAMES HARDING who was quicker to the rebound than two defenders to stab the ball home at the far post for the for the leveller.

James Harding who stabbed the ball home for the Marine’s equaliser
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

With ten minutes to half time the lively March broke through the backline again only for Connor Johns to pull out a superb stop with the foot to deny the attacking midfielder. Overall an excellent shift from the Marine team, defending solidly against some exceptional movement by the Forest Green Rovers players in intensely hot conditions. There were changes galore at the half time break with the visitors bringing on five new players and Marine seeing Jamie Edge, (Harry Williams](https://swindonsupermarinefc.com/harry-williams) and Wayne Nderemani come on for Lewis Hall, Brad Hooper and Conor McDonagh

Recent trialist and now new signing Wayne Nderemani was introduced at half time
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

Early in the second half it looked like it would be 2-1 to Forest Green Rovers but somehow substitute Kyle McAllister, having gone round the keeper Connor Johns could only hit the side netting and a big let off for Marine. Shortly afterwards McAllister did put the ball in the net but he was clearly in an offside position. Lot’s of pressure was heading towards the Marine goal as the two games in two days was catching up with Marine player but some solid defending meant they restricted Forest Green to long range shots which were well dealt with by Johns in goal.

Leon Morrison was quickly into the action as he heads clear with a number of Rovers players looking on
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

On sixty-minutes Leon Morrison replaced James Harding as Tom Sharpe moved into the midfield. With twenty-minutes to go a Armani Little in swinging cross was headed home by JOSH MARCH from a few yards out as a couple of Marine defenders couldn’t get to him for his second and what turned out to be a winning goal for Forest Green Rovers.

Connor Johns makes and excellent save from Rover’s goalscorer Josh March
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

George Dowling was forced off with cramp soon after with Conor McDonagh returning before Rovers missed a glorious chance to make it 3-1 instead putting it wide when McCallister with only Marine keeper Johns to beat. The visitors Olly Casey then hit the post from close in late on, but Marine held on for a very creditable scoreline with all things considered. Overall an excellent two days for the teams, with everyone in the squad getting a good shift in and some excellent individual displays particularly in defence on this two scorching days.

Conor McDonagh returned to the game after George Dowling went off
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

Media Star man: Conor Johns - For his impeccable handling, good control off his backline and that outstanding save with the foot!

Attendance: 306

Line Ups

Swindon Supermarine
Manager: Lee Spalding
Colours: All Blue
Line-up: 1. Connor Johns 2. Sam Turl 3. Lewis Hall (15. Wayne Nderemani 46’) 4. Brad Hooper (12. Jamie Edge 46’) 5. Mat Liddiard 6. Tom Sharpe 7. Zack Kotwica 8. George Dowling (9. Conor McDonagh 70’) 9. Conor McDonagh (16. Harry Williams 46’) 10. James Harding (14. Leon Morrison 60’) 11. Ryan Campbell
Subs not used: 13. Lewis Fox (GK)
Goalscorer: James Harding 25’
Editors Star Man: Mat Liddiard
Cards:
None
None
None

Forest Green Rovers
Managers: Ian Burchnall
Colours: All Pink 1st Half Line-up: 1. Lewis Thomas 2. Corey O’Keefe (6. Billy Cargill 46’) 3. Dom Barnard 14. Jamille Matt (c)(7. Ben Stevens 46’) 5. Olly Casey 15. Jordan Moore-Taylor (17. Kyle McCallister 46’) 49. Trialist 8. Regan Hendry (27. Harvey Bunker 46’) 28. Josh March (44. Murpht Bennett 78’) 10. Armani Lttle 26. David Davis
Subs not used: 1. Luke McGee (GK), 22. Udoka Godwin-Malife
Goalscorer: Josh March 21’, 75’
Editors Star Man: Josh March
Cards:
None
None
None

Supermarine TV

Match highlights
Post Match with Lee Spalding
Courtesy of Mike Wray

Match Officials

Referee: Mitchell Terry (Wiltshire)
Assistant Referees: Sean McCombie (Wiltshire), Andrew Lincoln (Wiltshire)