Melksham Town 0 Marine 2

Match Report from Pete Crockett

A TALE OF TWO MATCHES

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness…

Charles Dickens opened “A Tale of Two Cities” with that immortal line and on a damp, dreary November evening in Wiltshire it felt unusually apt. Swindon Supermarine have been oscillating from the fluency shown against Bashley, Bishops Cleeve, and Bristol Manor Farm to the recent stumbles against Bradford Town and Mousehole. A team being reshaped often wanders a winding path, and at Oakfield Stadium came a big step forward.

The expectation of some was that Marine should dispatch a Melksham Town side low on form. Yet those who thought solely in such terms missed the point. After two frustrating outings the greater task lay in rediscovering purpose: a willingness to take risks in possession, to press with conviction, and to impose themselves. This was a test of character.

Marine began as though eager to answer. Barely twelve minutes had passed when George Alston cut inside, delivered a cross that was half-cleared to Jamie Edge, the winger then received the ball again from Jamie on the left edge of the area. His second delivery arced temptingly into the six-yard box and RAPHA OPPONG, arriving with admirable timing, powered his header beyond keeper Adam Foster. It was a deserved lead after a forceful start.

The combination plays down the left troubled Melksham all evening. George Alston and Owen Foye exchanged swift passes, their one-twos prising open gaps, forcing the hosts continually backwards. It was little surprise, therefore, when the second goal came from that flank. Jamie Edge threaded a precise pass into Owen Foye’s overlapping run; Foye, in turn, clipped the ball cleverly into Alston’s stride. GEORGE ALSTON killed it in mid-air and dispatched a crisp left-footed shot past the advancing keeper. Marine were now playing with poise, and belief coursed through their ranks.

Rapha Oppong might have added another on the half-hour surging menacingly through the middle only to scuff his finish. Zach Rugman’s powerful header from a corner flew wide; George Alston continued to torment his full-back, twisting and turning like a man enjoying his evening.

By contrast Melksham managed only fleeting moments of threat before the interval: a parried cross-shot, a couple of attempts from Stan Wyatt, a block from Olly Case. For the most part Marine controlled the ball and the tempo of the match with assurance.

The second half opened with Melksham attacking with greater urgency, leaving space behind them. Marine countered swiftly, Zach Rugman slipping Rapha Oppong through in the 48th minute, his cross just inches beyond Sid Gbla’s reach. Harry Gray then blasted over for the hosts soon after, and Marine replied with breaks of their own - Zach Rugman’s impudent back-heel nearly creating a chance, whilst minutes later George Alston curled narrowly over.

Marine keeper Luke Purnell was in the 62nd minute called upon to deny Jamal Lawrence, that impressive save represented Melksham’s closest goal effort. Thereafter Marine managed the match with a calmness that suggested lessons had been absorbed. They passed crisply, kept their shape, and managed the game well. In the closing moments Tawana Changa won the ball and released Sal Abubakar who set up Zach Rugman for an effort that sailed over. Then, in stoppage time, Melksham’s frustrations peaked as Archie Milne received a straight red card for an ill-judged remark to the assistant referee

For Melksham Town a harsh evening; for Marine, a welcome response. Several Marine players stood out: Tawana Changa’s diligence and versatility at right-back, Zach Rugman’s indefatigable energy, Rapha Oppong’s graft and well-taken goal, George Alston’s mercurial mischief down the left, Jamie Edge’s intelligence and leadership in the midfield. This was a purposeful Marine performance marked by industry, clarity, and collective resolve.

Come on Marine!

Attendance: 396

Manager:	Luke Ballinger, Dave Thompson
Line-up:	Colours: Yellow & Black
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1.	Adam Forster [GK]
2.	Will Christopher			7.	Oscar Hall 84’
3.	Leon Greenland
6.	Mark Cooper (c)
9.	Jamal Lawrence		84’	17.	Harry Messenger 90+3’
10.	Stan Wyatt			20.	Tom Dowell 73’
11.	Olly Mehew			16.	Charlie Holiday 63’
12.	Ryan King			18.	Leon Hardman 73’
14.	Archie Milne		93’
15.	Jack Carter
19.	Harry Gray		66’

Editors Star Man: Jamal Lawrence
Subs not used: None

Manager:	Bobby Wilkinson
Line-up:	Colours: Blue & White Hoops
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1	Luke Purnell [GK]
2	Tawana Changa
3	Owen Foye
4	Josh Grant
5	Olly Case		43’	15.	Josh Blythe 90+5’
6	Zach Rugman
7	Sal Abubakar
8	Jamie Edge
9	Raphael Oppong	18’	58’	16	Joe Selman 86’
10	Sid Gbla			16	Dayo Sonoiki 77’
11	George Alston	29’		17	Jonny Efedje 79’

Editors Star Man: Jamie Edge
Subs not used: 12 |Max Hemmings