Marine 2 Poole Town 7
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South | Saturday 5th August 2023
Match Report from Pete Crockett
POOLE TOWN PRODUCED AN OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE TO BEAT A DECIDEDLY OFF-COLOUR MARINE
The Dolphins opened the scoring in the 10th minute when a Jack Dickson cross from the right flank was headed home by Tony Lee. However, four minutes later Marine were on level terms when an inch perfect Henry Spalding cross was glanced home expertly by Levi Irving.
On 20 minutes the visitors were in front for a second time when a Will Spetch cross was again headed home by Tony Lee at the back post.
The visitors further extended their lead in the 31st minute when a deep Cameron Murray cross was met by Jamie Whisken. Then in the 42nd minute a mistimed Poole tackle on debutant Brandon Liggett saw Marine awarded a penalty which George Dowling converted sending the keeper the wrong way to make the score 3-2 to the visitors.
This was not though the end of the first half scoring and on the stroke of half time Harvey Wright scored at the back post after a valiant George Dowling goal line clearance.
In the early stages of the second half Marine rallied. They had vociferous appeals for a penalty when a goal bound shot appeared to strike the hand of a Poole defender. To the bemusement of many of a Marine disposition the referee declined the award.
This was one of those “what might have been” moments – had Marine got the score back to 3-4 could they have pushed on for an equaliser or would Poole Town have gone up a gear? Marine also went close a few minutes after this when a fierce deflected shot was well saved by Luke Cairney in the visitor’s goal.
In the 73rd minute Will Spetch scored the visitor’s fifth from a Cameron Murray corner. Marine defenders and keeper protested that Charlie Searle had been impeded in the build-up to the goal. The referee, to the surprise of some supporters, decreed that no offence had been committed.
In the final quarter of an hour the visitors added to their goal tally with a 20-yard drive from Cameron Murray on 76th minute and, in the 90th minute, substitute Destiny Ojo converted from yet another Jamie Whisken knock down.
All credit to Poole Town on this showing they looked a unit more than capable of mounting a strong promotion challenge. Marine will be grateful that not every team in this division will have forwards of the quality they faced today.
This was a bad day at the office, but we have had very few matches over the last few seasons where that could be said and that is worth holding on to.
There are still 123 points to play for so no need for panic. This is a time to train hard in the next week; to reflect honestly on this match; and to go into the next match at Walton & Hersham with a dogged determination to showcase the undoubted strengths this Marine playing squad possesses.
Come on Marine!
Editors Marine Star Man: Levi Irving
Editors Dolphins Star Man: Tony Lee
Line Ups
Swindon Supermarine
Manager: Lee Spalding
Colours: Blue & White Hoops
Line-up: 1. Charlie Searle 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell 4. Jamie Edge (c) 5. Luke Cooper 6. Leon Morrison (14. Joe Tumelty 74’) 7. Henry Spalding 8. Brandon Liggett (12. Tom Sharpe 59’) 9. Zack Kotwica 10. George Dowling 11. Levi Irving (16. Harvey Fox 78’)
Subs not used: 15. Liban Ibrahim
Goalscorers: 
Levi Irving 14’, George Dowling 43’pen
Cards:
Jamie Edge 8’, Charlie Searle 73’, Luke Cooper 90’ 
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Poole Town 
Manager: Tom Killick
Colours: Black & Gold Stripes
Line-up: 1. Luke Cairney 3. Harry Hutchinson 4. Will Spetch 5. Jamie Whisken (c) 9. Tony-James Lee (2. Declan Rose 76’) 10. Toby Holmes 11. Jack Dickson 12. Luke Nippard (17. Destiny Ojo 76’) 14. Harvey Wright 15. Cameron Murray 19. Wes Fogden (16. Luke Pardoe 83’)
Goalscorer: Tony-James Lee 10’,20’, Jamie Whisken 31’, Harvey Wright 44’, Will Spetch 73’, Cameron Murray 76’, Destiny Ojo 90’
Subs Not Used: 7. Alefe Santos, 13. Will Butler (GK)
Cards:
Wes Fogden 41’, Luke Nippard 46’, Harry Hutchinson 71’
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Supermarine TV
All the goals
Courtesy of Mike Wray
Match Gallery
Click here for Match Photo’s
Courtesy of Alex White Photography
Match Gallery
Click here for Match Photo’s
Courtesy of Rob Mashford Photography
Post Match Team Sheet
Not available for this game
Match Officials
Referee: Harrison Blair (Woking)
Assistant Referees: Jake Atkinson (Reading), Robert Herrett (London)
