Marine v Winchester Preview

Marine v Winchester City Preview

From Nick Taylor

Marine take on mid-table Winchester City at The Webbswood Stadium Saturday afternoon in their final league fixture of the season knowing that nothing less than a win will retain their place in the Southern League Premier South Division for another season.

After the hugely disappointing 3-0 away defeat at Sholing last weekend, Stuart Fleetwood and his squad of players must bounce back in style and grind out a victory against a side who have enjoyed their best season for several years and sit comfortably in tenth place on 57 points from 41 matches played.

The Citizens under the guidance of manager, Craig Davis, arrive in Wiltshire having won two of their last three, the most recent a 1-0 home win against Beaconsfield Town last weekend, though with a much stronger record of success at their Charters Community Stadium than on the road. The two sides played out a 2-2 draw back on Tuesday 6th February in a game dominated by a swirling strong wind blowing down one end of the pitch.

Winchester’s star man that night back in February was goalkeeper Luke Cairney, who almost single-handedly kept Marine at bay that night and if Marine are to claim the three points must get past the former Poole Town and Hungerford Town shot-stopper, who picked up their Manager’s Player of the Year award this week.

Top scorer Tommy Wright with 9 and midfielder Ollie Balmer with 8 goals carry the main goal threat for The Citizen, whilst the vastly experienced Jordan Rose, who’s former clubs have included Salisbury, Bath City, Farnborough and Hereford, marshals the defence and is a threat at set-pieces.

Ahead of the final fixture and with a full squad to select from, Marine head coach, Stuart Fleetwood is clear what is needed from his squad: “Destiny is in our own hands. We win. We stay up. That’s our only goal. We won’t be checking scores else where as only a win will do for us to remain in the division.”