Marine 1 Tiverton Town 2

MATCH REPORT from ALECK EVERARD

MARINE OUT OF LUCK AS TIVVY HIT A SUCKER PUNCH

Before the game there was a minute’s applause for long time supporter Dave Lewis who sadly passed away last week
Photo ©Jeff Youd Photography
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Swindon Supermarine and Tiverton Town had an early top of the table clash at the Webbswood Stadium on Saturday in the PitchingIn Southern League Premier Division South. Marine made some tactical and personnel changes with Mat Liddiard moving into the centre of midfield alongside Michael Hopkins with Pierce Mitchell moving into centre back and Jack Stanley coming in at full back. Brad Hooper and Harry Williams dropped to the bench.

Photo’s © Motion Sport Photography
Ryan Campbell shoots and score our early goal
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The player’s celebrate Campbell’s early goal
Photo ©Jeff Youd Photography
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The changes seemed to have the right effect as Marine took the lead from the first attack. Conor McDonagh and Ryan Campbell linked up and CAMPBELL hit a fierce strike through the keeper’s legs. Michael Hopkins nearly made it two just a minute later firing wide from just outside the box.

Michael Peck equalises for Tiverton
Photo © Viv Curtis @vivcurtis (Tiverton Town)

Tiverton slowly settled down and the game became an end to end affair between two quality teams. Marine but together a lovely team move on 13 minutes but Hopkins blazed over when the route to goal opened up. With the game being so open It was no surprise when the visitors did level on 17 minutes. A fine cross from the left by Jordan Bastin at the second attempt was volleyed home spectacularly by MICHAEL PECK giving keeper Martin Horsell no chance from very close range .

Conor’s first half header was well saved by Williams in the Tiverton goal
Photo ©Jeff Youd Photography
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The game continued at a very fast pace but it was Marine who ended the first half the strongest. Campbell went close with another effort just wide of the post and then with 10 minutes to go Conor McDonagh brought out a top class save from visiting keeper Lewis Williams from a strong header to the back post. Skipper Liddiard had a powerful header just wide on 37 before the half ended with an effort by McDonagh easily saved followed swiftly by a late booking for Neil Martin of Tivvy for a tackle from behind on McDonagh.

HT: 1-1

The second half continued in the same vein as Marine came flying out of the traps. Tiverton keeper Williams pulled off an outstanding triple stop, first blocking Campbell’s shot then the follow up by McDonagh with the final effort from Liddiard’s header was then tipped over the bar spectacularly. The hosts were now dominating territory and McDonagh had an effort deflected wide when well placed.

Jamie Edge wins this header against Tiverton
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However, Tiverton weathered the storm and started to grow back into the game on the hour with Jack Stanley having to make a good headed clearance off the line to keep it all square. But Marine followed this up with two good headed chances. Hopkins headed just wide from Stanley’s superb cross and then Campbell 2 minutes later headed into the side netting from close in. Brad Hooper replaced Jack Stanley on 67 – this saw Liddiard drop back into the defence in an effort to make the breakthrough.

There was a strong penalty shout soon after when a Tiverton defender looked to have handled but the referee waved it away. Tiverton then decided to make a double change themselves to try and change the swing of the game with Jared Lewington and Jordan Lam replacing Bastin and Watkins. Shortly afterwards Martin Horsell made a good grab from a dangerous cross before Tivvy made their final change with Ed Butcher coming on for Chris Shepherd whilst manager Lee Spalding replaced Zack Kotwica with Henry Spalding in the 83rd minute.

Goalscorer Ryan Campbell gets away from his marker
Photo ©Jeff Youd Photography
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With three minutes on the clock a misplaced pass from Conor McDonagh found Louis Spalding caught upfield and the Tivvy substitute JORDAN LAM found space on the right wing, With fresh legs he drove on powerfully before cutting inside Jamie Edge and unleashed a daisy cutting drive into the bottom corner of Martin Horsell’s net. A real sucker punch of a blow for the hosts who had at least deserved a draw if not all three points!

As Marine pushed forward Harry Williams was bought on for Louis Spalding before the visitors broke away in injury time and a terrific long range shot by Butcher nearly rubbed salt into the wound but Horsell saved superbly.

Zack Kotwica goes away from the Tiverton defender
Photo ©Jeff Youd Photography
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Overall an excellent game of football played which was played with a very high quality with both sides looking like they will be up there at the end of the campaign. Marine will play worse and pick up three points in other games but the rub of the green was with the visitors today. Man of the match was the Tiverton keeper Lewis Williams for some outstanding saves which proved the difference. For Supermarine Jake Lee in defence had a very solid game and picked up the match sponsors award but for me the best player was Ryan Campbell once again, so consistent this season and very dangerous.

FT: 1-2
Attendance: 245

MATCH LINEUPS

SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Manager: Lee Spalding
Line-up: 1. Martin Horsell 2. Jack Stanley ( 12. Brad Hooper 68m) 3. Louis Spalding ( 14. Harry Williams 88m) 4. Jamie Edge 5. Jake Lee 6. Pierce Mitchell 7. Michael Hopkins 8. Mat Liddiard (c) 9. Zack Kotwicka (15. Henry Spalding 83m) 10 Conor McDonagh 11. Ryan Campbell
Subs not used: 16. Joe Shepherd 18. Rhys Wells
Goals: Ryan Campbell 2m
Star Man: Jake Lee
Cards:
Pierce Mitchell 78m
None
None

TIVERTON TOWN
Managers: Martyn Rogers, Scott Rogers
Line-up: 1. Lewis Williams 2. Kyle Egan 3. Craig Woodman (c) 4. Aaron Dawson 5. Michael Peck 6. Neil Martin 7. Andy Watkins (14: Jared Lewington 75m) 8. Dan Hayfield 9. Jordan Bastin (16: Jordan Lam 75m) 10. Alex Fletcher 11. Chris Shepherd (12: Ed Butcher 83m)
Subs not used: 15. Louis Morrison 17. Billy Craske
Goals: Michael Peck 15m Jordan Lam 88m
Star Man: Lewis Williams
Cards:
Neil Martin 45m
None
None

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS from YOUR SPORT SWINDON

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Thomas Staten (Gloucester)
Assistant Referee’s: Darren Hill (Wantage), Edward Hall (Lancaster)