Marine 3 Bracknell Town 1

Match Report from Pete Crockett

Game turns on one dramatic minute of football

This match turned on one minute of drama in the 76th minute. With the score at 1-1 Bracknell Town, who had just been reduced to ten men after a sending off, were awarded a penalty. Jordan Espirit stepped up to take the spot kick that was well saved by Conor Brann.

Marine then immediately counter-attacked and some swift passing found Jake Andrews in the penalty arc. The midfielder’s low strike beat the despairing dive of the visiting keeper Simon Grant. In one minute Marine instead of being a goal down found themselves in front by two goals to one.

The first quarter of an hour of the match essentially saw the teams testing each other out. Action in the attacking thirds of the pitch was decidedly limited.

Marine then engineered a couple of openings. The first saw some slick passing play in Dave Sims-Burgess who advanced on goal but his attempted dink over the keeper went wide of the post. The other, just prior to this, saw the visiting keeper caught under the flight of a Joe Tumelty’s corner that struck the back post.

The opening goal of the game was scored by Bracknell Town in the 24th minute. Nana Owusu and Joe Wilson both scrapped to win possession on the edge of the Marine box. The ball then pinballed in the Marine area eventually being picked up by Max Herbert some 20-yards from goal. He stormed into the penalty box and struck a low shot into the back of the net.

On 30 minutes some slick Marine passing saw Zack Kotwica played in. The Marine player indulged in some skilful trickery to engineer an opening. As he looked to poke the ball home the advancing keeper Simon Grant got down quickly to smother the ball.

Five minutes before the end of the first half Marine were forced into a change with Brad Gray replacing Levi Irving who went off with a leg injury. Bracknell Town were also creating openings with one right wing cross fizzing across the Marine goal with no visitor able to get a touch just before the break.

The home team started the second half the livelier and engineered two openings. The first saw a Mat Liddiard headed effort cleared off the goal line. The second occurred when Brad Gray’s deft close range back heel on the half-volley went straight into the arms of the keeper.

Marine equalised in the 51st minute when a deep Ryan Campbell cross was headed home excellently by Brad Gray at the back post. His inch perfect header across goal gave Simon Grant in the visitor’s goal no hope.

In the 62nd minute Marine went close again when a Dave Sims-Burgess effort hit the post. Then came that bizarre match changing 76th minute with Marine grabbing the lead from a Jake Andrews low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

The final quarter hour of the match saw ten-man Bracknell Town apply pressure for an equaliser. Adam Mekki’s deflected effort forced a sharp save from Marine’s Conor Brann. Then minutes later substitute Ben Harris did well to create himself an opening but his shot cleared the bar. Marine sealed the victory when Ryan Campbell rifled home a cracking 25-yard shot in the fourth minute of injury time.

This was a match where it is hard not to feel sympathy with Bracknell Town. Had they converted the penalty at 1-1 they may well have gone on to secure a victory.

However, one also has to give credit to Marine who were not at their best but battled to the end for the three points. It should also be noted that all three of the goals Marine scored were excellent finishes. This victory meant that for the first time this season Marine find themselves outside the relegation places.

Come on Marine!

Editors Marine Star Man: Conor Brann
Editors Bracknell Star Man: Max Herbert
Attendance: 256

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 (c) 7. Zack Kotwica (15. Henry Spalding 90’) 8. Liban Ibrahim 9. Dave Sims-Burgess 10. Joe Tumelty 11. Levi Irving (14. Brad Gray 42’)
Subs not used: 13. Louis Evans, 12. Toby Raison 16. Jamie Edge
Goalscorers: Brad Gray 50’, Jake Andrews 76’, Ryan Campbell 90+4’
Cards:
None
None
None

BRACKNELL TOWN
Colours: Red & Black
Managers: Jordan Ive
Line-up: 1. Simon Grant 2. Joe Wilson 3. Gabriel George 4. Max Herbert 5. Darryl Harrison 6. Sean Fraser 7. Nana Owusu (16. Olakayode Osu 70’) 8. George Knight 9. Jordan Esprit (14. Ben Harris 83’) 10. Ashely Lodge(c) (17. Liam Tuck 87’) 11. Adam Mekki
Subs Not Used: 15. Elliot Legg, 18. Ethan Burden
Goalscorers: Max Herbert 22’
Cards:
Gabriel George 56’, Adam Mekki 80’
Sean Fraser 67’
None

Match Highlights

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Courtesy of Mike Wray from Supermarine TV

Match Gallery

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Courtesy of Alex White Photography

Team Sheet

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Match Officials

Referee: Cain Collins
Assistant Referees: Albie Jeffery, Paul Herbert