Marine 2 Hungerford Town 3

Match Report from Pete Crockett

The Crusaders win a five goal thriller

Marine’s current run without a win is tough for players, management, and supporters alike. In many of the games there has been qualities in the Marine performance that offers promise of better things to come.

However, the brutal reality is that the team needs to collectively be more resolute defensively – the concession of three goals in each of the last three league matches is always going to make securing victory a huge mountain to climb.

In terms of the match itself Hungerford got off to the perfect start in the 3rd minute. Elis Watts fed a well weighed pass into the path of Conor McDonagh, he entered the box and fired a cross shot that deflected off Jamie Edge into the back of the net. Some will deem it the striker’s goal and others an own goal.

Marine then settled and started to produce some slick passing. However, Hungerford’s pacey counter attacks were always a threat and Adulai Samba’s well struck shot from outside the box forced a parried save from Louis Evans in the Marine goal.

The Crusaders nearly doubled their lead around the half hour mark when Louis Evans received a back pass to his feet. The keeper’s attempted pass out from the area was intercepted by Conor McDonagh. One-on-one the visiting striker’s shot struck the crossbar and, to the great relief of the Marine keeper, bounced clear.

Marine were now gaining some fluency in the final quarter of an hour before half time. Joe Tumelty forced an excellent save from Ryan Clarke who dived to his left to push away a 20-yard shot heading just inside the post.

Then minutes later, and with half time approaching, the sucker punch. A long clearance, a flick on, and Conor McDonagh was clear on goal. The ex-Marine player calmly rounded Louis Evans and passed the ball into the back of the empty net. A soft goal to concede but a quality finish.

The early moments of the second half saw what was to prove a match defining three minutes. A long ball over the top saw Marine’s Henry Spalding pace ahead of the visitor’s back four. He advanced into the penalty area and his goal bound shot was well saved by the onrushing Ryan Clarke.

Within minutes the visitor’s had made it 3-0. A series of blocks in the Marine box saw the ball fall to the feet of Elis Watts. His shot was not the cleanest of hits but, with the aid of a deflection, squirmed under the dive of Louis Evans in the Marine goal.

Marine could have folded at this point, but they picked themselves up and started to attack with gusto. In the 57th minute Sam Turl hit a deep cross to the back post. Henry Spalding met the cross some twelve yards from goal with the sweetest of volleys that powered the ball into the back of the net.

A few minutes later came the main moment of controversy. A cross was fumbled by Ryan Clarke. Marine’s Zack Kotwica picked up the loose ball and appeared to be felled. Many Marine supporters, including this report’s writer, were adamant it was a spot kick. Referee Olly Taylor was unconvinced.

A fracas then followed as tempers boiled over leading to several cautions being issued. Post match analysis of the video proved the referee’s call to be the correct one and he thus deserves credit for his decision making in this instance.

In the 72nd minute Marine reduced the deficit to one goal. A foul was awarded to Marine in a central position on the edge of the penalty arc. Jake Andrews hit a deft free kick that wrong footed the keeper and slid just inside the post. An exquisite set piece finish.

In the final quarter of an hour both sides had half chances but neither created clear cut openings to alter the scoreline.

There were positives in defeat for Marine and on a kinder day they could have secured a deserved point. The positives – the players showed character in adversity; they played some good football in the second half; Jake Andrews had his best performance in a Marine shirt with some classy passing; and loanee Ioan Richards played well on debut.

Editors Marine Star Man: Jake Andrews
Editors Crusaders Star Man: Conor McDonagh

On to Tiverton Town on Saturday - surely that first victory is not too far away?

Come on Marine!

Attendance: 396

Line Ups

Swindon Supermarine
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: Blue & White Hoops
Line-up: 1. Louis Evans 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell (12. Liban Ibrahim 58’) 4. Jamie Edge (c) 5. Ioan Richards 6. Jake Andrews 7. Zack Kotwica 8. Joe Tumelty 9. Levi Irving 10. George Dowling (14. Henry Spalding 40’) 11. Ed Williams
Subs not used: 16. Malik Sesay, Mat Liddiard
Goalscorers: Henry Spalding 58’, Jake Andrews 78’
Cards:
Henry Spalding 54’, Zack Kotwica 73’
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Hungerford Town
Manager: Danny Robinson
Colours: All Yellow Line-up: 1. Ryan Clarke 2. Jack Alexander 4. Brad Hooper 5. Ramarni Medford-Smith 6. Matt Berry-Hargraves 8. Nathan Davies 10. Conor McDonagh 14. Ellis Watts 15. Luke Carnell 18. Adulai Sambu 20. Rhys Tyler (c)
Goalscorer: Jamie Edge o.g. 3’, Conor McDonagh 45+3’, Ellis Watts 48’
Subs Not Used: 9. Slavi Spasov, 16. Louie Paget
Cards:
Jack Alexander 52’, Luke Carnell 6’, Rhys Tyler 69’, Nathan Davies 73’
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Supermarine TV

Match Highlights
Courtesy of Mike Wray

Match Gallery

Match Photo’s Courtesy of Alex White Photography

Post Match Team Sheet

Team Sheet

Match Officials

Referee: Olly Taylor
Assistant Referees: Sam Lomas, Michael Halford