Marine 3 Royal Wootton Bassett Town 2

Match Report from Pete Crockett

Marine reach Premier Shield final

The evening was gelid; the pitch was bobbly as the clods froze; and the playing surface was getting ever more slippy as the match progressed. In far from clement weather Supermarine’s ground staff deserve credit for ensuring the pitch was playable. Additionally, the players and officials warrant praise for providing a decent match in far from ideal conditions.

The game’s early stages were as much about the players coming to terms with the surface as it was about outplaying their opponents. However, in the first ten minutes Bassett twice got in behind Marine’s defence and hit some concerning low crosses into the box. A ten-minute spell around the half hour mark contained three key pieces of action.

The first saw Bassett’s Sam Packer pick up the ball on the edge of the area. He struck a firm shot that looked destined to nestle inside the upright to Louis Evans right. However, the Marine keeper produced an excellent diving save to parry the ball around the post. The second led to Marine’s opening goal. Sam Turl hit a deep cross to the back post where Henry Spalding hit a well controlled volley past Rob Brown in the Bassett goal.

The third led to the home team’s second goal when a menacing cross from a short corner was met by Ioan Richards who headed home. As the final stages of the first half were coming to an end all, from a Marine perspective, was going to plan.

Marine were retaining the ball well and seemed to be destined to go into the dressing room with a solid two goal lead. However, on the cusp of half time Bassett pulled one back. Marine were slack in their defending of a corner and left a player unmarked on the edge of the box. A short corner found him. Marine’s Ryan Campbell seeing the danger had rushed back to intervene but made contact with the Bassett player.

The key question - so often used in Detective novels – “did he fall or was he pushed?” The referee, who was well positioned to make the call, pointed to the spot. Basset’s Alfie Presley converted the spot kick to ensure a 2-1 half time score line.

Whereas Marine had dominated possession in the first half the second was a more even affair – although both teams were still finding it challenging to prise open their opponent’s defence. Marine’s best chances saw Joe Tumelty blast an effort over the bar; Dave Sims-Burgess and Shea Manning fall victim to a close-range double save from the visiting keeper; and Rob Brown in the Bassett goal made an excellent save with his foot to thwart Dave Sims-Burgess. Bassett also had chances in the half. The most noteworthy seeing a powerful Alan Griffin header well saved by Louis Evans in the Marine goal.

The final five minutes of the match saw a flurry of goal mouth incident. Marine extended their lead to 3-1 when Mat Liddiard 90’ headed home. Then in what was the final action of the match Alfie Presley broke clear of the Marine defence and got to the ball before home keeper Louis Evans finished with admirable composure as he lobbed the advancing keeper.

The visitors, although disappointed to lose, can justifiably be pleased with their efforts. On a difficult surface they played some good passing football and pushed Marine to the end. Several of their players caught the eye including Adam Corcoran; ex-Marine midfielder Chris Taylor; and Alfie Pressley up front. It is easy on this showing to see why they are currently in a playoff position in their league.

From a Marine perspective there are also reasons to be positive about the match. A final reached, some invaluable game time for players who needed it, and some pleasing player performances. Two Marine players who particularly warrant praise were Louis Evans who made crucial saves in each half, and Jamie Edge who put in an excellent shift in midfield.

Both teams will return to league action on Saturday and the “bread and butter” of their seasons with Bassett seeking to retain a playoff position and Marine seeking to secure a fourth win in succession.

Come on Marine (and Bassett)!

Editors Marine Star Man: Jamie Edge
Editors Bassett Star Man: Alfie Presley
Attendance: 169

Line Ups

Swindon Supermarine
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: Blue & White Hoops
Line-up: 1. Louis Evans 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell 4. Jamie Edge (c) 5. Ioan Richards 6. Toby Raison 7. Henry Spalding 8. Liban Ibrahim (14. Mat Liddiard 46’) 9. Dave Sims-Burgess 10. Joe Tumelty 11. Shea Mannings
Subs not used: 13. Conor Brann, 14. Josh Blyth, 15. Dylan Griffin, 16. Gabriel Rievers
Goalscorers: Henry Spalding 30’, Ioan Richards 33’, Mat Liddiard 90’
Cards:
None
None
None

Royal Wootton Bassett Town
Colours: Green & Black
Manager: Sam Collier
Line-up: 1. Rob Brown 2. Johan Partridge 3. Louis Spalding 4. Chris Taylor 5. Adam Corcoran (c) 6. Alan Griffin 7. Alfie Presley 18. Jordan Morris (12. Scott Chilcott 75’) 9. Sam Packer (16. Dave Bampton 84’) 10. Tommy Ouldridge 11. Bailey Gallagher
Subs Not Used: 14. Harry Waters, 15. Josh Timbrell, 8. Kai Robinson
Goalscorers: Alfie Presley 45’pen, 90+2’
Cards:
Alan Griffin 52’, Scott Chillcott 90’
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

Match Officials

Referee: George Lynch,
Assistant Referees: Joshua Gordon, Sam Walker 4th Official: Cian Collins