Marine 1 Frome Town 3

Match Report from Pete Crockett

HOPKINS DOUBLE SINKS MARINE ON A MUD-CHURNED AFTERNOON

There are afternoons when football seems less a contest of systems and more a squelching sliding battle against the elements. This was one of them. The pitch, cut up, waterlogged, wobbling underfoot, might in racing jargon have been labelled heavy.

The divots flew like startled starlings. Yet somehow both sides contrived to give the crowd a match of verve and adventure, a minor miracle on such sodden ground.

The home side began brightly. After only five minutes a neat exchange between Sid Gbla and Rapha Oppong carved out an opening for the former, his low effort bending inside the post until Frome goalkeeper Kyle Phillips, fully extended and airborne, clawed it away. From the ensuing corner Zach Rugman’s crisp strike flew just over the bar.

Frome responded in kind. A flowing move in the seventh minute ended with Albie Hopkins drawing an acrobatic stop from Luke Purnell; soon after, Sam Heal’s cross found Hopkins again, and the keeper was called into action once more. For a spell the match settled into a tug-of-war of possession, both sides probing, neither quite finding the decisive touch.

Then came the breakthrough. In the 29th minute Frome’s George Dowling curled an inviting cross to the far post where an unattended HARRY LUCAS turned the ball home from close range.

Supermarine answered with the move of the match ten minutes later: Sid Gbla to Rapha Oppong, Oppong holding then flicking a delicious outside-of-the-boot pass that sliced the Frome back line cleanly. SID GBLA advanced and finished with the composure of a man on a relaxing Sunday stroll as he tucked the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

However, football can pivot in an instant. First, Sal Abubakar’s overhead effort, destined for glory, thudded against the back of a teammate. No sooner had Marine drawn breath than Frome were streaking away on the counter, ALBIE HOPKINS surging through the middle and firing home. A soft goal, Marine would feel, born of poor tracking and a defensive parting.

Only Luke Purnell’s brilliance in first-half injury time - parrying Brendan Holmes’ rising drive onto the top of the bar - kept the deficit manageable.

The second half, played at a labouring tempo dictated by the gluey turf was a test of stamina and stubbornness. George Alston twice threatened for the home side - first seeing a shot blocked after a weaving run, then testing Kyle Phillips with a more straightforward effort.

At the other end Frome’s Sam Heal headed wide from an Archie Ferris cross before George Dowling released Archie Ferris for a chance well saved by Luke Purnell.

Frome continued to create chances. Substitute Daniel Dodimead escaped down the right only to pull his shot wide. Then moments later Marine produced a sweeping move of their own ending with Piotr Petrynski’s teasing cross and a frantic scramble which Marine did not score from.

They were punished swiftly: Frome countered again Callum Gould slipping in ALBIE HOPKINS who finished with a craftsman’s poise for his second. Still Supermarine pressed gamely. Sal Abubakar forced a late stop, and in added time a looping header from Dayo Sonoiki was cleared by a retreating defender - though the referee had already seen a foul - a decision that discombobulated Marine supporters behind the goal.

Frome, in the end, deserved their win; their two-goal margin was arguably harsh on Marine. The visitors took their chances with ruthlessness. For the Robins Sam Teale was commanding at the back, George Dowling assured in midfield, Sam Heal lively on the left flank, and Albie Hopkins sharp, direct, menacing - he looked every inch a player suited for a higher level.

Marine can draw heart from their own contributions. Rapha Oppong and Sid Gbla unsettled the visitors throughout; Piotr Petrynski enjoyed his finest outing in Marine colours; and Luke Purnell produced several saves of exceptional quality.

Bobby Wilkinson’s post match frustration at the manner of the goals conceded was understandable, but so too was his pride in the team’s willingness to grapple toe-to-toe with one of the division’s most polished outfits. On another day, he mused, the chances might have fallen differently. He felt the goal Marine did score was a gem - proof enough that even in mud and mire flowing football can still sparkle.

Come on Marine!

Attendance: 195

Manager:	Bobby Wilkinson
Line-up:	Colours: Blue & White Hoops
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1	Luke Purnell [GK]
2	Tawana Changa		59’
3	Piotr Petrynski
4	Josh Grant
5	Sam Turl			15	Josh Blythe 80’
6	Zach Rugman			12	Dayo Sonoiki 70’
7	Sal Abubakar
8	Jamie Edge			14	Max Hemmings 70’
9	Rapha Oppong			16	Fareed Salifu 73’
10	Sid Gbla	38’	62’
11	George Alston			12	Jonny Efedje 70’

Editors Star Man:Luke Purnell [GK]
Subs not used: None

[

Manager:	Danny Greaves
Line-up:	Colours: Gold & White
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card	No	Substitute
1.	Kyle Philips [GK]
2.	Harry Lucas	28’
3.	Sam Heal			20	Charlie Bullock 88’
4.	Sam Teale
8.	George Dowling			17	Harris Feltham 84’
9.	Archie Ferris
11.	Albie Hopkins	43’,77’		10	Zach Drew 85’
12.	Brendan Holmes
14.	Warren Maidment (c)
16.	David Duru		64’	21	Dan Dodimead 68’
18.	Theo Llewellyn			6	Callum Gould 74’

Editors Star Man: Albie Hopkins
Subs not used: None