Marine 2 North Leigh 1

Match Report from Aleck Everard

MARINE END 2022 WITH A WIN

Swindon Supermarine played out their final match of 2022 with a home tie against local rivals North Leigh on Boxing Day. Manager Lee Spalding made a few changes with Will Tunnicliff, Tom Sharpe and Conor McDonagh returning to the starting eleven with Leon Morrison, Brad Hooper and Zack Kotwica making way.

Tom Sharpe returned in defence and his first action was to stop former Marine player Sal Abubakar
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

On a difficult surface it was the visitors who started the game much better, Marine keeper Liam Armstrong was alert to punch away a fierce drive from Thomas. Former Marine player Sal Abubaker earnt a free kick on six minutes after being fouled by Mat Liddiard on the edge of the penalty box but another former Marine player Michael Hopkins blasted it high and wide over the bar.

Conor McDonagh receives the ball on the edge of the area after the players kept possession with twelve successive passes and he scores the opening goal
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

Shortly afterwards Marine midfielder George Dowling had a free kick blocked in what was a very scrappy start to the proceedings. Visiting keeper Adam North spilt the bar from a Spalding cross on twenty-two minutes but managed to gather at the second attempt as Ryan Campbell rushed in. But just as it seemed the half was petering out CONOR MCDONAGH broke away down the left, cut inside and finished from close range to give Marine a lead out of the blue and his sixth goal of the season.

North Leigh’s Aarron McCreadie scored the North Leigh equaliser
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

From the next attack it looked as though McDonagh was brought down off the ball in the box but it was unseen by the match officials. Within seconds North Leigh broke away as McDonagh lost the ball on the touchline and eventually after an interchange of passes a neat pass from Jordan Thomas the ball was laid of to AARON MCCREADIE who drilled the ball past the outstretched arm of Liam Armstrong in the Marine goal to level scores. The final effort of the half also came again from another Jordan Thomas effort that was just wide. An even half with both sides struggling with a boggy and bumpy surface.

Liam Armstrong was called into action early doors as Will Owens effort down the right was blocked
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

Marine made a change on the break with central defender Leon Morrison replacing Tom Sharpe who came off due to another knee injury. Once again Armstrong was called into action early doors as Will Owens effort down the right was blocked. Harry Williams came close to scoring on forty-seven minutes as he got in front of his marker but flicked the ball just over from a Conor McDonagh pass on the right wing, before a second change for the hosts as Brad Hooper came on on for out of sorts Jamie Edge.

Harry Williams went on to score the winning goal, his 25th of the season
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

The change had the desired effect as just five minutes late Henry Spalding found a pinpoint pass through to HARRY WILLIAMS who took a touch to set the ball up and then let fly as he fired the ball low and hard past keeper Adam North and into the bottom corner of the net for his 25th goal of an amazing season.

A late chance for Marine as Campbell crosses but the ball was cleared by the North Leigh defender
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

North Leigh made a change to try and alter the scoreline but it was Marine in control now and an audacious lob from McDonagh sailed over the bar on seventy-one minutes. Michael Hopkins of North Leigh and then George Dowling went in the referee’s book before the final chance of a controlled second half from Marine saw Williams burst through again only to stub the chance wide. After that the defence saw out the game well with Mat Liddiard and Sam Turl very energetic and difficult to beat as always.

Conor McDonagh and former Marine player Michal Hopkins tussle for the ball
Photo © Rob Mashford Photography Match Album

A vital three points which saw Marine move up to tenth with games in hand to keep the playoff push alive, just three points off Salisbury in fifth place with four games less played. The first match of 2023 is a visit to Merthyr Town next Monday January 2nd – see you there!

Fans player of the match went to Conor McDonagh.

Attendance: 208

Line Ups

Swindon Supermarine
Manager: Lee Spalding
Colours: Blue & White Hoops / Blue / Blue
Line-up: 1. Liam Armstrong 2. Sam Turl 3. Will Tunnicliff 4. Jamie Edge (17. Brad Hooper 50’) 5. Mat Liddiard (c) 6. Tom Sharpe (16. Leon Morrison 46’) 7. Henry Spalding 8. George Dowling 9. Harry Williams 10. Conor McDonagh (12. James Harding 88’) 11. Ryan Campbell
Subs not used: 14. Zack Kotwica, 15. Joe Tumelty
Goalscorers: Conor McDonagh 32’ , Harry Williams 54’
Editors Star Man: Conor McDonagh
Cards:
George Dowling 86’
None
None

North Leigh
Manager: Chris Allen
Colours: Yellow & Black
Line-up: 1. Adam North 17. Jack Alexander 18. Andy Gunn 5. Declan Peart 4. George Nash (15 Aaron Heap 85’) 3. Michael Hopkins (c) 8. Aaron McCreadie 10. Jordan Alves (16. Lance Williams 63’) 11. Jordan Thomas 7. Will Owens 12. Sal Abubakar
Subs not used: 2. Scott Isherwood, 19. Owen Dore
Goalscorer: Aaron McCreadie 38’
Editors Star Man: Jordan Thomas
Cards:
Michael Hopkins 76’
None
None

Supermarine TV

Highlights
Courtesy of Mike Wray

Match Album

Photo’s
Courtesy of Rob Mashford Photography

Post Match Team Sheet

Team Sheet

Match Officials

Referee: Charlie Bullock (Hungerford)
Assistant Referees: Simon Weston (Hook), Dan Spyer (Calne)