Marine 4 Didcot Town 1

Match Report from Pete Crockett

Marine win the railway town derby

This was a game played in dank conditions with a swirling wind, a cloggy playing surface, and a series of downpours. It was also the classic game of two halves. For the first 45 minutes Didcot Town belied their league position defending resolutely and posing a threat on the counter-attack.

The visitors took the lead when in the 9th minute Robbie Gallagher held the ball up well in the Marine area. He then passed to the overlapping Cameron McNeil whose front post cross was deftly glanced inside the far post by Seth Humphries.

The remainder of the half saw few efforts of note on goal with the away team proving difficult to break down and Robbie Gallagher up front engaging in some threatening runs at the Marine defence.

Indeed, Marines only three chances of merit in the opening half saw an effort clear the bar in the 21st minute as two home players converged on a front post cross; a 41st minute Sam Turl far post diving header easily gathered by the visiting keeper; and a well-crafted 43rd minute effort from Henry Spalding just clear the bar.

The visitors also created a decent opening late in the first half when Seth Humphries played in Robbie Gallagher whose shot was well saved by Conor Brann. Throughout the first half Marine’s passing was often overly predictable and the movement off the ball, at times, pedestrian. Regardless of this the big benefit of extended periods of possession is that it is less energy sapping to pass the ball than to chase it.

In the second half Marine seemed to benefit from a heavy half time downpour that made the pitch a little slicker. This combined with an increased tempo in their passing saw Marine start to ask questions of the visitor’s defence.

Marine equalised in the 56th minute when following some good build up play a Joe Tumelty low cross was hit into the zone of uncertainty across the six-yard box. It was sliced into the back of his own goal by the visitor’s Adam Learoyd who was being put under pressure by Dave Sims-Burgess’s proximity.

Ten minutes later Marine got a second. Henry Spalding’s cross field pass was picked up by Liban Ibrahim on the left flank. He powered down the wing and then cut across the penalty area feeding the ball into the path of the advancing Jake Andrews The midfielder collected the ball thirty yards from goal and drilled a low dipping shot that Didcot keeper Leigh Bedwell could only help into the net.

Marine’s third scored in the 79th minute saw Jake Andrews clip a ball from inside his own half down the right flank. Zack Kotwica then ran at the visitor’s defence forcing them to back pedal. He then knocked a pass across the box to Liban Ibrahim who in turn found the overlapping full back Ryan Campbell.

Ryan Campbell took one touch to set himself and then rifled a shot inside the far upright with his left foot. A goal not dissimilar to the one he scored against Bracknell Town a week previously.

Marine’s fourth arrived in the 83rd minute when Dave Sims-Burgess’s lofted pass from inside Marine’s half enabled Zack Kotwica to break clear of a tired defence. Drawing the keeper from his line the Marine substitute netted with aplomb. This goal was pleasing as it showed Marine can go route one when the opportunity arises.

Just before the final whistle Marine nearly scored a fifth when Zack Kotwica played in Henry Spalding whose effort was well saved by Leigh Bedwell in the visitor’s goal.

The temptation is to see this as a game that Marine, on recent form, should be expected to win. That though does a disservice to Didcot Town’s recent away performances that have seen them draw at Gosport Borough and beat Basingstoke Town – scoring four in the process.

In short, The Railwaymen, although rooted at the foot of the table, have proved a tough opponent for other sides in this league. In that context a 4-1 victory is most certainly a good result. The visitors will rue the fact they could not get a second when one up as this would undoubtedly have increased the pressure on Marine.

Throughout the match the Marine back four of Sam Turl, Ioan Richards, Mat Liddiard, and Ryan Campbell did well in restricting their opponents to few clear openings. Conor Brann between the sticks was not overly tested but did all that was required of him with a composed assuredness.

The Marine midfield looked a much more purposeful unit in the second half with Jake Andrews pinging searching passes; Liban Ibrahim being a midfield dynamo throughout; Joe Tumelty getting more of the ball higher up the pitch where he was a greater threat; Henry Spalding looking composed on the ball and constantly probing for openings; and Zack Kotwica coming off the bench and scoring one and nearly setting up another.

Forwards Dave Sims-Burgess and Brad Gray worked diligently up front and made some noteworthy runs off the ball to create openings for others. Whilst their goal scoring opportunities were limited their industry in moving defenders around was a crucial element of the victory.

A word of praise for referee Nat Warmlington and his assistants who on a difficult day for officiating due to the weather handled the game well.

December has been a good month for Marine. The team has won four of their six matches meaning they are currently outside the relegation places. More of the same in January please.

Come on Marine!

Editors Marine Star Man: Liban Ibrahim
Editors Didcot Star Man: Robbie Gallagher
Attendance: 420

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 (12. Toby Raison 86’) 6. Jake Andrews (c) (15. Jamie Edge 86’) 7. Henry Spalding 8. Liban Ibrahim 9. Dave Sims-Burgess 10. Joe Tumelty 11. Brad Gray (14. Zack Kotwica 65’)
Subs not used: 13. Louis Evans, 16. Josh Blyth
Goalscorers: Learoyd O.G. 55’, Jake Andrews 68’, Ryan Campbell 78’, Zack Kotwica 83’
Cards:
None
None
None

Didcot Town
Colours: Green & Black
Manager: Jamie Heapy
Line-up: 1. Leigh Bedwell 2. Josh Grant 3. Cameron McNeil 4. Sam Barder 5. Luke Carnell 6. Adam Learoyd (c) 7. Ben Putland (16. Owen Smith 85’) 8. James Glover 9. Seth Humphries 10. Robbie Gallagher 11. Pat Osbourne (17. Dan Lucas 72’)
Subs Not Used: 12. Oliver Case, 15. Honi Elarfa, 18. McKenzie Hedges
Goalscorers: Seth Humphries 9’
Cards:
James Glover 90’
None
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: Nat Wormlington
Assistant Referees: Sam Lomas, Roger Smith