Marine 1 Havant & Waterlooville 1

Match Report from Pete Crockett

REIVERS INJURY TIME STRIKE EARNS MARINE A SHARE OF THE SPOILS

This looked like it was going to be a game of two penalties. The first was a converted effort for the away team in the 39th minute that was netted by substitute HARVEY BRADLEY to give the visitor’s a 1-0 lead. The penalty was awarded after the Marine keeper clipped the advancing Callum Kealy in the box.

The second was an 87th minute Dave Sims Burgess penalty that was saved by Ben Dudzinski. The penalty was awarded after a deft turn by Sims-Burgess induced a clumsy trip from Joe McNerney.

It would have been easy for Marine heads to drop after the penalty miss but they kept going and scored an injury time equaliser. Harry Williams header hammered against the crossbar and substitute Gabe Reivers skilfully thumped the rebound into the back of the net.

Gabe Reivers (15) slams home the equalising goal
Photo courtesy of Alex White Photos

The first half was very much a battle of the midfields. However, both teams had their moments. With five minutes elapsed the Hawks Leon Maloney came close with a well struck effort following a forceful run.

Marine then in the 9th minute appealed vociferously for a penalty when Ollie Mehew’s header struck the raised hand of an opposing defender. In fairness it was one of those you want if attacking because the defender’s arm was raised above his head. However, if it is against you the counter argument was the ball travelled a very short distance from head to hand. Ultimately a decision where whichever way the referee went one side would feel hard done by.

The game then became a bit of a midfield battle with few chances created. It also became disjointed as several injuries, and the resultant treatment and substitutions, saw the flow of the game disrupted.

There was though time for one moment of debate. In the middle section of the first half Havant’s Joe McNerney, who had previously been booked in the 10th minute, appeared to body check Liban Ibrahim off the ball. The referee awarded a free kick but opted to proffer a verbal warning to the Havant player rather than issue the second caution some home supporters were anticipating.

Marine made a slick start to the second half but it was The Hawks who had the first opportunity of note when Leon Maloney’s 53rd minute strike was parried by Luke Purnell in the Marine goal. Harvey Bradbury’s follow up effort was then blocked on the line. A minute later the ball fell to the visitor’s Jack Dockerill on the edge of the area but his effort cleared the cross bar.

In the 58th minute Marine’s Michael Fernandes broke clear of the Hawks back four. As he entered the box, in what almost looked like a re-enactment of the Havant penalty, the keeper advanced at pace towards him. The Marine man dipped his right shoulder and rounded him. However, his touch was just a tad too heavy and the angle became too acute.

Then on 59 minutes Havant produced a well worked free kick routine from a central position just outside the box. The deft kick saw Nigel Atangana played in in what was, in the old days, known as the inside left channel. His well struck effort from inside the penalty area was tipped on to the far post by Luke Purnell. Good football all round.

On 65 minutes a Jake Lee header from a corner went straight at the Havant keeper who gathered with relative ease. Then with eight minutes of normal time remaining a forceful shot from Reuben Swann was well saved by Purnell in the Marine goal. Two minutes later it was Marine’s turn to test the keeper when a drilled Jamie Edge effort from outside the box was clawed away.

Then that dramatic finale of the missed Marine penalty and the injury time equaliser that bought an absorbing and entertaining match to an end.

Havant and Waterlooville will be disappointed to have forfeited two points to a late equaliser. In terms of their players who caught the eye Leon Maloney looked lively up front whilst Nigel Atangana was quality in their midfield.

For Marine this was their best league performance of the season thus far. The character the team showed collectively was admirable. Several Marine players caught the eye - Luke Purnell made several good saves; Jake Lee and Nick Peare were impressively resolute in the centre of defence; loanee Anton Dworzak made an impressive Marine debut showing some real quality; and Dave Sims-Burgess put in a positive shift up top.

After a difficult start to the league season this performance was a significant improvement. The unity of purpose and determination to stay in the game meant Marine supporters left the ground with pride in their team and a spring in their step.

Come on Marine!

Editors Marine Star Man: Jake Lee
Editors Havant Star Man: Nigel Atangana
Attendance: 303

Line Ups

SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: Blue & White Hoops
Line-up: 1. Luke Purnell 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell 4. Nick Peare 5. Jake Lee 6. Jamie Edge 7. Anton Dworzak (12.Zack Kotwica) 8. Liban Ibrahim 9. Dave Sims-Burgess 10. Michael Fernandes (15.Gabe Reivers 65’) 11. Olly Mehew (14.Harry Williams 75’)
Subs not used: 15. Ioan Richards
Goalscorers: Gabe Reivers 90+6’’
Cards:
Luke Purnell 38’, Anton Dworzak 42’, Nick Peare 59’, Liban Ibrahim 90’, Dave Sims-Burgess 90+3’, Jamie Edge 90+5’,
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HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE
Manager: Shaun North
Colours: Yellow & Blue
Line-up: 1. Ben Dudzinski 2. Devante Stanley 3. Reuben Livesey-Austin (20. Harvey Laidlaw 35’) 4. Nigel Atangana (15. Reuben Swan 75’) 5. Joe McNerney 6. Brendan Willson 8. Alfy Whittingham 9. Ryan Seager (7. Harvey Bradbury 32’) 10. Leon Maloney 11 Callum Kealy (12. Seokjae Lee 82’)
Subs Not Used: 16. Amadou Jallow
Goalscorers: Harvey Bradbury 38’
Cards: Joe McNerney 10’, Nigel Atangana 48’, Ben Dudzinski 88’
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Match Gallery

Click to view Match Photo’s
Courtesy of Alex White Photography

Team Sheet

Click for post Match Team Sheet
Courtesy of the Pitching In Southern League

Match Officials

Referee: Ollie Kaya
Assistant Referees: Albert Warr, James McNee