Marine 2 Alton 0

Match Report from Pete Crockett

MARINE MAKE WAVES, BREWERS CAPSIZED

Two days after their cup tie in Hampshire had ended in stalemate Swindon Supermarine ensured there would be no repeat. On their own turf Bobby Wilkinson’s side asserted authority, and with goals from Sid Gbla and Brooks Leipus deservedly moved into the next round.

Alton had the best of the opening exchanges unsettling Marine with a flurry of dangerous set-pieces and vigorous attacks that kept the home defence on their guard. Once Marine found a rhythm they started to create some clear-cut openings.

Twanna Changa’s rising effort was a signal of intent and by the half-hour mark Marine had begun to probe with menace. On 28 minutes Jonny Efedje had the ball in the net, though the flag denied him. It was to prove Alton’s temporary reprieve before an impending concession.

In a two-minute period the game turned dramatically. In the 30th minute Jamie Edge, immense all evening, cleared an effort from Adam Poynter off the goal-line.

Within seconds the ball was played forward to Dan Warre on the right. He twisted, dipped, spun his marker dizzy, then conjured up a delicate cross which SID GBLA, rising above the Alton defence, deftly headed into the far corner, it was advantage Marine. The move was a masterpiece of invention and execution, a goal worthy of deciding any tie.

Stung by the concession Alton upped the ante, Alex McAllister shooting wide and Adam Poynter testing Luke Purnell. Yet Marine’s shape and discipline held, and when the chance came to kill the contest they seized it.

In the 79th minute the ever-resourceful Jonny Efedje chipped a neat pass into Sid Gbla’s path. The striker, after some nifty footwork, fed the ball inch perfectly into the path of substitute BROOKS LEIPUS, who had only came o minutes before, powered into the penalty area and finished with a low shot across the keeper. This second goal was decisive, and a reflection of Marine’s superior composure in the vital moments.

Even late on Marine’s commitment did not waver. Keeper Luke Purnell made an excellent save from Alex McAllister’s free kick. In the final minutes Marine’s back line was unflinching in their tackling and blocks, and the midfield worked tirelessly to close down the threat from a visiting team who were not going down without throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at the home team.

However, Alton, for all their persistency, could not break through. Their captain Alex Merryfield’s disallowed stoppage-time strike was ruled out through offside and deprived them of a consolation goal that they probably deserved for their contribution to an enthralling tie.

The game ended with Marine nearly scoring a third in the final minute. James Harding appeared to be playing for time near the right-wing corner flag. Alton defenders were pressing to regain possession when the Marine forward pirouetted and with some knavish nifty footwork drove between his two nearest opponents. Showing a clean pair of heels he squared the ball to Dan Warre whose shot on goal was well blocked by a defender in the six-yard box.

Credit to Alton who bow out of the competition with pride intact. Their vigour, spirit, and enterprise hint at a promising league campaign.

For Marine manager Bobby Wilkinson there was satisfaction: his side were organised, resilient, and inventive. He particularly highlighted how Dan Warre was dazzling up front; Sid Gbla a scorer and provider; Jamie Edge, a tower of authority; and young captain Josh Grant, the heartbeat of Marine’s industry.

In the joy of the replay victory it is all too easy to overlook the important combative qualities Marine showed in that decidedly tricky first encounter. They dug deep in a first half where everything that could go wrong seemed to do so; they battled determinedly with ten men for sixty-five minutes; and they kept going into the final minutes of the match, when all seemed lost, to secure an injury time draw.

For me that pertinacious away performance was the crucial and spirited foundation for this replay victory. Success in football is not just about the days when things go to plan it is also about the determination to dig deep in adversity. The FA Cup can be fickle, but in these two games Marine showed they have grit, guile, and gallantry. Tavistock Town await.

COME ON MARINE!

Attendance: 279

Manager:	Bobby Wilkinson
Line-up:	Colours: Blue & White Hoops
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1	Luke Purnell [GK]
2	Sal Abubakar
3	Tawana Changa		55’
4	Josh Blyth
5	Jamie Edge
6	Joe Selman			12	Brooks Leipus 74’	76’
7	Jonny Efedje
8	Josh Grant (c)
9	Dan Warre
10	Sid Gbla	30’	80’	12	James Harding 83’		90+1’
11	George Alston			16	Dayo Sonoiki 74’

Editors Star Man: Jamie Edge
Subs not used: 15. Olly Case, 17. Piotr Petrynski, 18. Dani Gonzalez, 20 Lucas Myers [GK],

Manager:	Kevin Adair
Line-up:	Colours: Purple & red
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1	Adam Melville [GK]
2	Louie Rogers
3	Angel Zapata		48’	11.	Isaac Nash 66’
4	Matt Benham
5	Alex Merryfield (c)
6	Zack Rugman
7	Adam Poynter		75’
8	Joe Wootton			12.	Liam Marshall 73’
9	Alex MacAllister
10	Owen Tanner
17	Josh Millo

Editors Star Man: Zach Rugman
Subs not used: 14. Matt Graham, 15. Jacques Roberts, 16. Johani Paulo, 18. Tom Peel, 20. Kevin Adair