Marine 2 Town U18s 1

Two from Shepherd leaves young Robins grounded

Pre-season football is a curious creature. It flatters no league table, awards no silverware and yet, for those prepared to look beyond the scoreline, it offers revealing glimpses of what may lie ahead. Swindon Supermarine’s final rehearsal before the competitive campaign suggested that Bobby Wilkinson’s side approach the curtain-raiser in encouraging health.

The 2-1 victory over Swindon Town’s U18s at the Imagine Cruising Stadium scarcely reflected Marine’s superiority. If anything, the visitors were kept in contention by a combination of determined defending, inspired goalkeeping, and the home side’s occasional wastefulness in front of goal.

Marine needed only six minutes to establish themselves. A free kick into the Town penalty area refused to die. The ball eventually broke invitingly for Joe Shepherd some 15 metres from goal and the midfielder, using the defenders as an effective screen, stroked a measured finish inside the keeper’s left-hand post with commendable composure.

Shepherd was already stamping his authority on proceedings, combining relentless energy with the sort of wholehearted tackling that tends to lift those around him. His second goal, after 21 minutes, owed as much to anticipation as execution. Spotting keeper Charlie Summers attempting a pass across his own penalty area, Joe Shepherd intercepted with predatory instincts before calmly smashing the ball into an unattended net.

Yet the young Robins refused to wilt. Indeed, they produced their best football after falling two behind. Passing crisply and confidently, they briefly pushed Marine onto the back foot.

Briel Da Costa, full of pace and invention on the right flank, repeatedly asked awkward questions of the home defence and one dangerous cross flashed invitingly across the face of goal without finding a decisive touch.

The visitors enjoyed possession but found Marine’s defensive organisation difficult to dismantle. At the other end Jordan Annear was denied by a fine blocking save from Summers before Marine somehow failed to add a third in one of those extraordinary goalmouth scrambles that defy belief. Dan Warre, Joe Shepherd and Tawana Changa all appeared destined to score, only for a combination of brave defending and sharp goalkeeping to preserve Town’s hopes.

Warre’s afternoon then ended prematurely through injury but his replacement, Cheldon Valere wasted little time in making an impression. His dangerous cross was met by Annear, stretching desperately but unable to direct his effort beyond Summers. Just before the interval Marine keeper Joel Halliday was called into meaningful action, comfortably gathering a firm strike as Marine retained their two-goal advantage.

Town introduced seven fresh faces at half-time, adding to an earlier substitution, and the inevitable disruption briefly altered the rhythm before Marine again asserted themselves. Lucas Wilkinson supplied one exquisite through ball for Zach Rugman, whose fierce effort crashed against the crossbar. Moments later slick interplay between Gabe Reivers and Dayo Sonoiki created space for Jamie Edge, whose low drive drifted narrowly beyond the far post.

Marine now monopolised both possession and territory. Zach Rugman, increasingly influential, was again denied by Summers after another perfectly weighted Lucas Wilkinson pass had sent him clear. The pressure became almost incessant. A Rugman free kick found Gabe Reivers, whose volley sailed over with sufficient elevation to cause understandable concern among the wildlife inhabiting the trees beyond the goal.

Valere then demonstrated the confidence of youth with neat control, nimble footwork and a powerful drive that Summers pushed away smartly.

The scoreline remained respectable largely because Town’s youngsters displayed admirable tenacity and resolve. Kaylen Shervill bravely produced a magnificent sliding challenge to halt another threatening Marine attack while Summers continued his excellent work by tipping another Valere effort over the crossbar.

Then, with only two minutes remaining came a curious sense of déjà vu. As in Marine’s previous outing, a loose defensive pass was seized upon. Ash Glynn accepted the invitation, advancing into acres of space before sliding the ball into the empty net to reduce the arrears. A shame for the Marine defence who otherwise had been very impressive.

It was little more than a late blemish on an otherwise accomplished Marine performance. Bobby Wilkinson’s side looked organised defensively for long periods, moved the ball with assurance, played with admirable intensity, and fashioned an abundance of opportunities that on another evening might easily have doubled their tally.

There was particular encouragement in the contributions of Marine’s younger players after the interval. Sonoiki, Reivers, Wilkinson, and Valere all entered the contest with refreshing confidence, combining enterprise with genuine technical quality and suggesting healthy competition for places as the season approaches.

The Town youngsters, meanwhile, departed with considerable credit. Summers made several good saves between the posts, Mailder looked an accomplished central defender and Da Costa’s pace and direct running repeatedly caught the eye. Against older and physically stronger opponents they refused to retreat and were rewarded with a performance rich in character.

Bobby Wilkinson afterwards reflected with satisfaction on a very pleasing pre-season programme. He praised both the players’ application in training and the positive spirit that has developed within the squad. He felt the footballing signs throughout the pre-season build up have been exceptionally encouraging.

Now, of course, the appetiser has been cleared away. Next Saturday brings the substance of the meal, an FA Cup tie against Tuffley Rovers and the beginning of the competitive campaign.

Come on Marine!

Pete Crockett

Alex White Photography to follow