Marine 2 Barton Rovers 0

Match Report from Pete Crockett

Reasons to be cheerful

The Imagine Cruising Stadium basked in searing heat more akin to the Caribbean. The thermometer was nudging towards 34 degrees with little breeze to suppress the intensity of the heat. It was more a day for cricket’s “leather on willow” than chasing a football. Under such energy sapping conditions the players of Swindon Supermarine and Barton Rovers, along with the officials, deserve immense credit for their endeavours.

Marine’s visitors had a positive 2024/25 season reaching the playoffs of the Southern League Division One Central. They thus offered Marine a chance to judge themselves against a strong step 4 opponent. The first twenty-five minutes was evenly contested with the two-team sussing each other out. Both teams were defensively well organised whilst the midfield battle was even-steven. This meant that there were few shots on goal.

Jonny Efedje in action against Barton Rovers
Photo’s from Alex White photography

The first opening of note came in the 26th minute. A well measured pass from Jadell Brown sent Abbie Hall clear on goal. His effort from 20 yards cleared the crossbar to Marine’s relief. In the 32nd minute Marine created an opening of their own. Following a mazy Frankie Monk run, and some crisp short passes, an opening was created for Tawana Changa who fired his shot just wide of the post.

Marine then had two decent half chances just before half-time. In the 42nd minute Tawana Changa played in a Marine player whose shot was blocked. The ball fell to Sid Gbla whose effort was well saved by Ben Heath in the visitor’s goal. Three minutes later Marine fashioned another opening when Sid Gbla advanced on goal. His on-target effort was effectively smothered by the keeper.

James Harding gets past his marker
Photo’s from Alex White photography

Marine made a significant number of changes at half-time. This had an initial impact on proceedings and the visitor’s had the better of the first fifteen minutes of the half. With 50 minutes elapsed Barton’s Ashton Grant was the recipient of a ball laid back to the edge of the area. His shot was struck with power but was always clearing the crossbar. Two minutes later the visitor’s Rhyan Seale embarked on a jinking run across the Marine area. He played the ball into the path of Jadell Brown whose shot sailed wide of the upright.

In the 64th minute both teams will have been befuddled as to how they did not open their account. A well delivered set piece saw the ball bouncing dangerously in the Marine goal area but visiting attackers spurned a glorious opportunity to score. Thankful for their good fortune Marine then launched a swift counterattack that saw Jonny Efedje play in Dawid Regula whose effort was blocked by the keeper’s feet.

Sal Abubakar scores the opening goal
Photo’s from Alex White photography

Marine went close again on 67 minutes when a Sal Abubakar 20-yard drive forced an excellent save from the visitor’s Ben Heath. The game remained competitive and both sides had their moments. In the 75th minute a ball driven across the box from the visitor’s right flank saw defender Josh McKinley slash his clearance over the cross bar. Whilst the clearance may have been a little close for comfort his interception was an invaluable one with away team attackers positioned to tap home at the back post.

A minute later it was Marine who took the lead from a swift break. The goal was well worked with Dawid Regula breaking down the left flank, he drove a ball across the face of the visitor’s penalty area where a deft Dan Warre dummy left SAL ABUBAKAR clear and advancing on goal. A touch to get the ball in front of him, a drop of the shoulder to fool the keeper, and an assured finish was the perfect end to an excellent counter attack.

Josh Grant wins this aerial challenge
Photo’s from Alex White photography

On 81 minutes Marine doubled their lead. A Jamie Edge free kick saw DAN WARRE advance into the right-hand side of the box. The Marine striker, having adroitly slipped his marker, struck a powerful low shot that squirmed under the dive of the Barton Rovers keeper. In the final stages it was Marine who were in the ascendancy. On 83 minutes some slick passing between Dan Warre and Dawid Regula saw the latter’s shot clear the cross bar. Two minutes later a Jamie Edge cross found Dan Warre at the back post but his effort from an acute angle went just wide.

On a scorching day both teams showed enough quality for their managers to be positive. Post match Marine’s Bobby Wilkinson stated that he was “proud of his team” and of the “tremendous effort they put in.” For a squad that has only been together for a very short period of time he was also pleased with how organised they were defensively. He shared how players had come in for extra training sessions and thus deserve “immense credit for the commitment they are showing”.

Ollie Case his also winning a heading challenge
Photo’s from Alex White photography

There was certainly much to be positive about. The main aspects for me are as follows: • To keep a clean sheet against a good Barton Rovers side was impressive. • Some of the football Marine played was exceptionally satisfying on the eye with good passing and swift clinical counter attacking. • All players were demonstrably buying into the cause. There was not one player in a Marine shirt who did not give their all. They worked for each other and showed impressive tenacity when under pressure. • There is clearly quality in the assembled squad. Strong keepers, resolute defenders, tenacious and skilled midfielders, and front runners who will undoubtedly cause opponents problems. • Post match it was clear that the camaraderie of the squad can potentially be a major strength going forward.

Sid Gbla effectively shields the ball from his marker
Photo’s from Alex White photography

The smiles of supporters leaving the ground was a pleasure to behold. Marine supporters are a sanguine lot. They know there are dangers in reading too much into one friendly. However, the management team and players have in a very short time made exceptionally impressive advances and that is, to quote the rock singer Ian Drury, “reasons to be cheerful.” Players and management should rightly be proud of their progress thus far.

Finally, it was a pleasure to host Barton Rovers who are a good footballing team. We wish them well for the forthcoming season. We enjoyed welcoming them to the Imagine Cruising Stadium. Come on Marine!

Marine star man Jamie Edge in action
Photo’s from Alex White photography

Marine Star Man: Jamie Edge
Barton Rovers Star Man: Jadell Brown
Attendance: 121

Marine starting XI: 1 Nick Harvey (GK), 2 Sam Turl (Sub: 46’), , 3 Josh Grant (Sub: 73’), 4 Eden Downes (Sub: 73’), 5 Nick Rhodes (Sub: 46’), 6 Tawana Changa, 7 Frankie Monk (Sub: 60’), 8 Max Hemmings (Sub:- 12’), 9 Sid Gbla (Sub: 60’), 10 James Harding (Sub: 46’), 11 Jonny Efedje (Sub: 46’)
Marine substitutes: 1 Dan Brabham (GK), 12 Josh McKinlay (Sub: 73’), 13 George Legg (GK) (Sub: 46’), 14 James Edge (Sub: 12’), 15 Piotr Petrynski (Sub: 46’), 16 Josh Briggs (Sub: 46’), 17 Dan Warre (Sub: 60’), 18 Olly Case (Sub: 46’), 19 Sal Abubakar (Sub: 46’), 20 Dawid Regula (Sub: 60’),

Barton Town starting XI: 1 Ben Heath (GK), 2 Ryan Neville, 3 Kian Wilkes (Sub: 73’), 4 Ashton Grant (Sub: 73’), 5 Kai Phelan (Sub: 46’), 6 Robbie Goodman, 7 Marcus Gouldbourne (Sub: 73’), 8 Jadell Brown, 9 Albie Hall (Sub: 60’), 10 Alfie Warman (Sub: 60’), 11 Ryan Seale (Sub: 60’)
Barton substitutes: 12 Reece Parry (Sub: 46’), 14 Govid Bains (Sub: 63’), 15 Marcus Campbell (Sub: 60’), 16 Ayo Akinbobola (Sub: 60’)

Match Officials

Referee: Dan Lamport
Assistant Referees: Roger Smith, John Brant