Marine 1 Poole Town 1.

Match Report from Pete Crockett

MARINE AND DOLPHINS WILL NEED TO MEET AGAIN

Sometimes as a supporter you leave a match bamboozled as to how your team did not get the victory their performance deserved. The cold reality is that such consternation is usually determined by a combination of factors – failing to take enough of the chances created; some resolute play by your opponents; and an element of misfortune. That in many ways summed up how Marine did not seal victory in this encounter.

The first opportunity fell to Marine in the 9th minute when Harry Williams burst clear of the defence but the striker saw his effort slide agonisingly wide of the post.

In the 24th minute Marine surrendered the ball in the midfield a little too easily. The ball fell to the feet of Poole’s Jake McCarthy who fired a low drilled effort 45-yards from goal that had Dan Brabham scrambling back towards goal to save, which he did effectively.

Poole opened the scoring just after the half hour match when a left-wing cross from Antonio Diaz was crisply volleyed home by TOM HEWLETT from just outside the six-yard box. The finish was a good one but Marine may be a little disappointed that Diaz was able to get to the dead ball line untracked.

Harry Williams gave the Poole defenders a difficult afternoon and came close to scoring on a number of occasions Image from Alex White Photography

Just before half time Marine supporters were left shaking their heads ruefully when Liban Ibrahim’s shot hit the inside of the post and was then cleared as it agonisingly spun along the line with Harry Williams in close proximity hoping for a tap in.

Marine started the second half with brio. In the 50th minute an Ollie Mehew shot deflected wide. Then in the 53rd minute the game took on a different hue. The visitor’s Tom Hewlett was sent from the field of play for a second cautionable offence.

In the minutes after the sending off Poole looked at their most vulnerable. Efforts from Michael Fernandes in the 57th minute and Liban Ibrahim in the 59th both fizzed wide of the post. A momentum was building and Marine equalised in the 63rd minute. Some mercurial twisting and turning in the penalty area by MICHAEL FERNANDES saw him create an opening to drill a shot just inside the far post.

The pattern of the game was changed by the sending off. Poole Town dropped deeper and, at times, adopted a back five. In some ways this hindered rather than helped Marine as the two visiting centre backs had looked their most vulnerable when they were caught higher up the pitch and forced to turn when the ball was played into the space behind them.

They sat deeper and the scope for Marine to exploit this reduced and to some extent suited Poole’s Jamie Whisken and former Yeovil defender Josh Staunton who defended crosses into the box very effectively.

After the equaliser Marine had a series of chances to secure victory. In the 77th minute Harry Williams shot was well saved following a sharp turn. Two minutes later Zack Kotwica struck a fierce effort just wide of the post. Then in the 82nd minute a left-wing cross seemed destined to be headed in by Ioan Richards only for the ball to dip cruelly and elude him.

Michael Fernandes tormented the Poole defence all game and scored the 65th Minute equaliser
Image from Alex White Photography

Even in the five minutes of added on time the Marine efforts rained in. In the 91st minute Jamie Edge fired over from 20-yards. Then in the 94th Harry Williams had a shot well saved by visiting keeper Cameron Plain and a minute later the same Marine player saw his on-target effort stopped on the line.

Marine were understandably disappointed not to win the tie but credit to the Poole Town defence for their tenacious defending – particularly in the last half hour. Keeper Cameron Plain made some crucial saves; Jamie Whisken defended impressively; and Josh Staunton was commanding at the back. Their goal was also well taken by Tom Hewlett who certainly had an eventful visit to the Webbswood.

From a Marine perspective there were numerous positives to build upon. Some of Marine’s passing and movement was top notch. The debutant keeper Dan Brabham acquitted himself well. Messrs Turl and Campbell at full back defended effectively and overlapped with zeal. Jake Lee and Ioan Richards defended commandingly.

The midfield looked purposeful; showed abundant energy; and also the ability to move the ball slickly. Anton Dworzak and Liban Ibrahim were high energy whilst Zack Kotwica had an excellent match. Up front Harry Williams was a handful and it looks like that form of two seasons ago might not be too far away.

With regards to Michael Fernandes opposing defences are wary of his threat and fazed by his close ball control. That in turn draws markers to him thus creating space for others. When the shoulder dips one way then the other and his marker is left floundering that impacts on the opposition mindset. The capricious threat he offers, his goal scoring capabilities, and the game changing threat he poses, is clearly an invaluable part of Marine’s attacking armoury.

With regards to Tuesday’s replay Marine should go into the tie with a positive mindset. They certainly, on this performance, have the capacity and capability to get a result. It may be that with the onus on the home team to take the game to Marine opportunities to hit Poole with slick counter attacks will actually increase.

Come on Marine!

Editors Marine Joint Star Man: Sam Turl, Zack Kotwica
Editors Poole Star Man: Josh Staunton
Attendance: 218

Line Ups

SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: Blue & White Hoops
Line-up: 1. Dan Brabham 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell 4. Jake Lee 5. Ioan Richards 6. Anton Dworzak (14.Jamie Edge 80’) 7. Zack Kotwica 8. Liban Ibrahim 9. Harry Williams 10. Michael Fernandes 11. Olly Mehew (12.Dave Sims-Burgess 60’)
Subs not used: 15. Nick Peare, 16. Gabe Reivers, 20. Joe Linton (GK)
Goalscorers: Michael Fernandes 65’
Cards:
None
None
None

Line Ups

POOLE TOWN
Manager: Steve Tully
Colours: Purple & Sky
Line-up: 1. Cameron Plain 4. Josh Staunton 5. Jamie Whisken (c) 6. Jake McCarthy 9. Toby Holmes (16. Nadam Yamba 79’) 10. Jack Hoey (19. Tyrique Clarke 68’) 11. Tom Hewlett 15. Harry Thomas 17. Harvey Slade (19. Billy Lowes 58’) 18. Jamar Smith 20. Tyler Forbes (3. Antonio Diaz 29’)
Subs Not Used: 13. Ben Taylor (GK)
Goalscorers: Tom Hewlett 33’
Cards:
Tyler Forbes 11’, Jamie Whisken 36’, Harvey Slade 36’, Antonio Diaz 38’, Cameron Plain 73’,
None
Tom Hewlett 44’, 51’

Match Gallery

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

Match Officials

Referee: Jake Hillier
Assistant Referees: Stephen Saunders, Simeon Studley