Marine 1 Frome Town 0

Match Report from Pete Crockett

MARINE SECURE VITAL WIN IN SIX POINTER

Some matches transpire to be footballing classics - others are scraps where the consequences of victory or defeat are so great that tensions stifle fluency. This match was certainly the latter with both sides desperate to secure the three points.

The game turned on two pivotal moments.

The first saw Marine take the lead in the 88th minute. After a penalty area scramble the ball broke to Michael Fernandes on the left edge of the area. The Marine wide man got to the goal line and zipped a left wing cross into the front post from where Harry Williams guided the ball into the back of the net.

The second in the last minutes of injury time Frome Town surged forward and from a free kick Matt Wood rose above the defence and powered a header across goal. It looked destined for the far top corner but home keeper Dan Brabham flew to his left and miraculously clawed the ball onto the post. He then from the ground kicked the ball clear of advancing strikers shot.

The first twenty minutes of the match was a bit of a slugfest with the game ebbing and flowing from end to end with little final product. The first meaningful opening in the 21st minute saw Marine’s Harry Williams slip a pass into the path of Dave Sims-Burgess who, as he drew his foot back to slot home, was thwarted by an excellent last-ditch tackle by the Robin’s Ryan Maidment.

From the resulting corner the half-cleared ball fell to Olly Mehew on the far edge of the area. He was clattered to the ground by an impetuous challenge. A penalty was awarded but unfortunately Harry Williams’ tame penalty was well saved by the visitor’s Kyle Phillips who dived to his right to push the ball wide of the post.

A minute later another corner saw a defensive header fall to Marine’s Jamie Edge. The home team’s midfielder lobbed the ball back towards goal, but a rapidly back-pedalling Kyle Phillips plucked it from the air on the goal line.

In the 33rd minute the visitors went close with a sharp shot on the turn from Tom Richards clipping the crossbar. Then a minute before half time a near post effort from Albie Hopkins forced a sharp save from the Marine keeper.

In the second half Marine had a half chance three minutes in when a Michael Fernandes cross found Ryan Campbell in the box, but his scuffed shot was easily gathered by Kyle Phillips in the Frome goal.

On the hour mark Marine’s Michael Fernandes hit a good shot from distance that was well saved by the visiting keeper. Minutes later the same player had an effort rattle the visitor’s crossbar. Frome also had their moments. Joe O’Loughlin cut inside and forced Dan Brabham into an excellent save. Alex Monks also saw a well struck shot gathered well by the host’s keeper.

This was a Marine victory secured by excellent keeping from Dan Brabham; resolute defending from the back four of Sam Turl, Ioan Richards, Liam Angel, and Ryan Campbell; and a sharp finish from Harry Williams who deserves credit for showing an abundance of character after his penalty miss.

Post match head coach Stuart Fleetwood felt that Marine “probably dominated the first half.“ He also said that he felt “both sides were a little nervy.“ In terms of his team’s approach, he felt there was some wariness about making mistakes. He felt the timing of the goal “was a great time to score.“ However, his greatest praise was given to Dan Brabham for his excellent save in injury time and his faultless keeping prior to that. Credit to referee Carl Peters, and his assistant’s, who handled the match well – they officiated with good sense and calm assuredness.

This was a big win for Marine in what is transpiring to be a very tight relegation battle. It was one of those matches where finding a way to win was an imperative and the Marine players and management did just that.

Well done Marine!

Marine Star Man: Dan Brabham
Frome Star Man: Albie Hopkins
Attendance: 436

Line Ups

SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: All Yellow
Line-up: 1. Dan Brabham 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell 4. Liam Angel 5. Ioan Richards 6. Jamie Edge (15._Anton Dworzak 70’) 7. Zack Kotwica 12. Dave Sims-Burgess (16. Lucias Vine 68’) 9. Harry Williams 10. Michael Fernandes 11. Olly Mehew (17. Henry Spalding 82’
Subs not used: 8. Nick Peare, 14. Jake Lee
Goalscorers: Harry Williams 88’
Cards:
Harry Williams 88’, Anton Dworzak 90’, Liam Angel 90+4’
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None

FROME TOWN
Manager: Danny Grieves
Colours: All Red
Line-up: 1. Kyle Philips 4. Sam Teale (c) 5. Pierce Mitchell 10. Zack Drew 11. Albie Hopkins (16. Rex Mannings 80’) 12. Tom Richards (6. Joe Budd 55’) 14. Warren Maidment 15. Ethan Vaughan (7. Elliott Duggan 55’ ) 17. Alex Monks 19. Archie Ferris (8. Callum Gould 55’) 20. Joe O’Loughlin (2. Matt Wood 82’) Subs not used: None
Goalscorers: None
Cards:
None
None
None

Match Gallery

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Courtesy of Alex White Photography

Post Match Teamsheet

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Courtesy of Southern Football League

Match Officials

Referee: Carl Peters
Assistant Referees: Coby Woodley, Albie Jeffery