Marine 2 Walton & Hersham 1

Match Report from Pete Crockett

Brann and Tumelty heroics seal Marine win

Some football matches are all action thrillers with a plenitude of goal mouth action and incident. Others are absorbing battles where two good teams are engaged in the equivalent of footballing chess trying to find a way to outwit their opponent. This match was very much the second.

Walton had a loud appeal for a first half penalty? Photo by Rob Mashford Photography

Two good passing teams adopted similar styles of play and strived hard to prise openings. However, each of them when not in possession had the knack of cancelling out their opponent through a combination of good defending, pressing, and tracking. This made the match an absorbing spectacle of who would best outfox the other.

The early skirmishes were very much in the midfield. Both sides had spells of passing the ball well and possession was very much the name of the game.

On 18 minutes it was Marine who made their possession tell. Passing with assuredness just around their opponent’s penalty area. Marine’s patient play paid off when a deft pass into the 18-yard box set Dave Sims-Burgess clear. He slid an inch perfect finish inside the goal’s far post.

Dave Sims-Burgess opens the scoring Photo by Alex White Photography

The players celebrate Simmo’s goal Photo by Alex White Photography

The remainder of the first half saw the visitors have lots of possession but, in brutal honesty, relatively limited threat. From a Marine perspective this was pleasing as such obdurate defensive discipline, from a team that has conceded 61 league goals this season, is probably indicative of a lot of hard work on the training ground.

In the second half the visitors started briskly and Johl Powell on the counter-attack forced a good save from Marine’s Conor Brann. There was a bit more zest to the away team’s passing in the first quarter of an hour of the second half. They were pushing Marine deeper than the hosts would have liked and seemed to have made a tactical adjustment that was working.

Conor Brann makes a excellent save Photo by Rob Mashford Photography

The pendulum of the match in this period had swung toward the visitors. They were looking the more threatening and it was no great surprise when, around the hour mark, as visitor’s broke clear of the Marine defence and Stan Flaherty slotted the ball confidently past the advancing Marine keeper.

Stan Flaherty (7) scored the Walton & Hersham equaliser Photo by Alex White Photography

It was a disappointing goal to concede from a Marine perspective as it came from a misplaced pass in midfield. However, there is a cost-benefit analysis to Marine’s playing style. The ‘cost’ is that occasionally a misplaced pass will lead to the concession of a goal. The ‘benefit’ is that playing the way Marine currently do has seen them producing playoff level form over the last fifteen matches. Most supporters will rightly conclude the benefits significantly exceed the costs.

After the goal the match became a more even contest. Indeed, in terms of chances it was Marine who had the edge with Dave Sims-Burgess breaking clear of the visiting defence but seeing his shot from the edge of the area well saved.

Dave Sims-Burgess had this chance saved by Walton keeper Tyla Dickinson Photo by Alex White Photography

There was also a good effort from the same player that was parried by keeper Tyla Dickinson. The loose ball from the save ran agonisingly in front of goal but fell to a defender to clear, rather than to the advancing Brad Gray, who would have had a tap in.

Liban Ibrahim surges forward to set up Joe Tumelty’s winning goal Photo by Alex White Photography

The game then turned on two crucial incidents in the final ten minutes. A flowing counter attack saw Marine surge forward. Substitute Liban Ibrahim made a driving run at the host’s defence. A cross then found Joe Tumelty who put Marine in front - netting with composure from close range.

Joe Tumelty scores Marine’s winning goal Photo by Rob Mashford Photography

Joe Tumelty celebrates his winning goal with Ryan Campbell and Liban Ibrahim Photo by Rob Mashford Photography

Then with the final whistle approaching the visitor’s Eddie Simon cut inside from the left flank. He fired a ferocious shot that seemed destined for the far top corner. However, Conor Brann flew to his left and, in mid air and with outstretched hand, produced an exceptional save.

Just after this referee Oliver Kaya, to the joy of Marine supporters, blew the final whistle. As an aside the referee and his assistants did very well – they allowed the game to flow and officiated with calm and measured judiciousness.

The visitors will feel they were unlucky to leave the Webbswood pointless. That last minute Conor Brann save was of exceptional quality and on another day, and against a lesser keeper, could have seen them secure a last minute equaliser. That said despite probably having more possession they created relatively few scoring opportunities in open play.

From a Marine perspective this was an excellent victory with several aspects worthy of celebration. Defensively this was one of Marine’s best performances. Ioan Richards and Mat Liddiard were commanding. Full backs Sam Turl and Ryan Campbell defended well and were also a constant threat on the overlap.

In front of the defence the midfield were disciplined and tenacious in their defending and had the edge on creating openings on goal. The front runners meanwhile worked hard to manufacture chances - Dave Sims-Burgess in particular being a constant threat. A word too for Henry Spalding who is very much looking back to his best in recent weeks.

In a game where goal mouth incident was perhaps more limited than recent fixtures it is the cameos of quality that stick in the mind.

The covering tackle from Sam Turl in the second half when a visiting striker was bearing in on goal; that match winning incredible save from Conor Brann; the forty-yard cross field passes pinged with unerring accuracy by Jake Andrews; the overlaps on the left hand side in those final minutes when Ryan Campbell and Liban Ibrahim displayed a pace that tired Walton and Hersham legs struggled to counteract; and the determined sixty yard first half chase back by Dave Sims-Burgess to regain possession when the visitors launched a counter attack.

To some extent this was a match for the purists where the spectating pleasure was very much in those little moments of individual quality or character.

Marine’s next few fixtures look demanding. However, this Marine team can play the best and get results – think Gosport Borough and Chesham United. Respect for opponents – always. Fear of them – never.

Come on Marine (and Bassett)!

Editors Marine Star Man: Conor Brann
Editors Bassett Star Man: Tyla Dickinson
Attendance: 317

Line Ups

Swindon Supermarine
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: Blue & White Hoops
Line-up: 1. Conor Brann 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell 4. Mat Liddiard 5. Ioan Richards 6. Jake Andrews 7. Shea Mannings (14. Brad Gray 66’) 8. Jamie Edge (c) (16. Liban Ibrahim 81’) 9. Dave Sims-Burgess (17. Levi Irving 90’) 10. Joe Tumelty 11. Henry Spalding
Subs not used: 12. Toby Raison, 13. Joe Liston
Goalscorers: Dave Sims-Burgess 18’ Joe Tumelty 87’
Cards:
None
None
None

Walton & Hersham
Manager: Scott Harris
Colours: All Red
Line-up: 1. Tyla Dickinson 8. Alex Kelly (17. Joe Pratley-Jones 80’) 3. Eoin Bolger 12. Maliq Morris 15. Josh Tobin 6. Jack Hicks (c) 7. Stan Flaherty 10. John Gilbert (9. Ed Simon 57’) 11. Nana Owusu 16. Josh Powell 20. Jake Frailing
Subs Not Used: 5. Michael Gough, 14. Anis Nuur, 16. Ibrahim Olutade
Goalscorers: Stan Flaherty 60’
Cards:
John Gilbery 45+1’
None
None

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

Click here for Team Sheet

Match Officials

Referee: Oliver Kaya,
Assistant Referees: Ed Hall, James McNee