Marine Reserves 3 Royal Wootton Bassett 1

Marine’s Young Guns Show Their Promise

Before a healthy crowd at the Imagine Cruising Stadium Swindon Supermarine defeated Royal Wootton Bassett Town 3-1 in an entertaining pre-season local derby that offered plenty of encouragement for both management teams. On a firm surface the contest was played at a lively tempo.

Supermarine fielded an intriguing blend of a small number of first-team players and the larger proportion from the reserve side, fresh from promotion and preparing for life in the Hellenic League.

Far from looking overawed the youngsters embraced the occasion with confidence, moving the ball crisply, pressing with enthusiasm, and displaying an encouraging understanding of one another’s movement.

From the outset Marine dictated the rhythm. Cheldon Valere, operating on the right flank, was a constant source of danger, beating his man with regularity and delivering crosses that demanded attention. The opening Marine salvo came after ten minutes when Ali Stewart’s effort was blocked before Sam Sanger fired the rebound wide.

Bassett’s first meaningful response arrived through Tommy Ouldridge’s ambitious drive from distance, comfortably gathered by Ben Creighton. The goalkeeper immediately launched a rapid counterattack, culminating in Stewart forcing Josh Sawyer into an excellent save.

The game deserved a goal and received one after 21 minutes. Winning possession deep inside their own half, Marine moved the ball swiftly. A pass from the left travelled invitingly across Cheldon Valere’s body. With his back to goal he in one elegant touch and swivel set himself clear. Advancing into the penalty area he calmly dispatched a right-footed finish beyond the keeper.

Three minutes later came the goal of the evening. Ali Stewart collected possession some 25-yards from goal, he shifted the ball out of his feet with one touch and unleashed an unstoppable drive that arrowed beyond the goalkeeper. It was a shot struck with conviction and precision, the sort that no keeper reaches.

Marine’s dominance continued. Triallist B tested Bassett keeper Sawyer after the restart from the hydration break before Stewart again brought the visiting goalkeeper into action. The pressure eventually yielded a third goal in the 33rd minute. Conor McDonagh’s fierce 30-yard effort was parried by Sawyer, but on e of the Triallists reacted quickest to convert the loose ball from close range.

For a moment it appeared Marine had added a fourth when Dayo Sonoiki lobbed home after breaking beyond the defence. However, the assistant referee’s flag correctly intervened. Bassett were not without threat. Alfie Pressley produced a powerful run that ended with his effort diverted narrowly wide, and after the interval he deservedly found a goal, capitalising on hesitant defending to finish confidently after finding himself one-on-one with Creighton.

The visitors briefly thought they had narrowed the deficit further when Pressley again featured prominently in the build-up to a team mates well-taken volley, only for an offside flag to deny them.

The second half inevitably lost some fluency as both management teams made a succession of substitutions, though Marine continued to produce passages of attractive football. Substitute Jan Saloutsis impressed with his composure in possession, while Stewart remained influential whenever he drifted into dangerous areas. The outstanding moment of the closing stages belonged to Marine’s Josh Blackwell, whose magnificent reaction save tipped over a powerful close-range header from a threatening free kick.

Pre-season results rarely matter greatly. Performances often do. Supermarine’s management will have departed encouraged by the energy, organisation, and technical quality displayed by a side containing so many emerging players. Valere’s thrilling wing play illuminated the first half, Stewart combined an outstanding goal with moments of genuine class, while Sonoiki’s assured display in midfield confirmed his considerable promise.

If this was a glimpse of the club’s future it was an encouraging one. Marine supporters may well find there is every reason to cast an eye towards the reserve side fixture list this season - particularly if they are unable to follow the first team on their travels.

Pete Crockett

Alex White Photography

Highlights