Poole Town 2 Marine 0

POST MATCH WITH LEE SPALDING

by Swindon Advertiser

A bright start couldn’t be built on by Swindon Supermarine on Saturday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of promotion hopefuls Poole Town. Harry Williams (pictured above) and George Downing both went close to scoring in the opening five minutes, but the Dolphins cranked up the game’s intensity shortly afterwards to open up a two-goal lead.

Marvin Brooks struck Poole’s first with 13 minutes on the clock before Will Spetch added another just only five minutes later. The Dorset club generally dictated terms from there, with Marine creating only a handful of chances – none of which were taken.

Marine chief Lee Spalding insists there are positives to take from the game, though, with his players again asked to turn things around quickly ahead of Tuesday night’s Wiltshire Premier Shield tie against Chippenham Town at Royal Wootton Bassett Town FC.

He added: “We started brightly, and had a great opportunity to score but didn’t take our chance. “For the remainder of the first half, it was a case of backs to the wall although McDonagh went close midway through the half when his effort was blocked. Credit to Poole, they were very good and played some brilliant football.

Conor McDonagh had a first half chance but his effort was blocked
© Jeff Youd Photography

“They made the most of a very big pitch and moved us around to score two very good goals. Poole were the better side in the first half by a long, long way. “We dug in during the second half, and created three or four good chances – but we didn’t take any, which was a disappointment and on another we could have got something from the game that we perhaps didn’t deserve overall.

“If we pegged a goal back, we probably could’ve poached a draw. It was another game against a very good side that are pushing for promotion. “It’s disappointing to lose, but there are some positives to take from it.”

Spalding spoke highly of Poole after the final whistle, and seemingly wouldn’t be surprised if the club finds itself back in National League South next season. Defeat hasn’t dropped Marine down the Southern League Premier Division table, though they are now at the mercy of chasing teams Taunton and Poole – who can leapfrog Marine should games in hand be won. Spalding added: “The first half-an-hour, Poole were one of the best sides we’ve played.

“They asked us a lot of defensive questions which we didn’t have the answers to in the first half. For 30 minutes, we weren’t good enough. “They exploited our weaknesses well and for that half-hour period we just weren’t at the races, which is very disappointing.”

HT: 2-0
FT: 2-0
Att: 334

Lee Spalding

MATCH VIDEO

Highlights

Video Courtesy of Your Sport Swindon

MATCH GALLERY

Match Photo’s
© Jeff Youd Photography

MATCH STATISTICS

POOLE TOWN
Manager: Tom Killick
Line-up: 1. Luke Cairney 2. Jack Dickson 18. Sam Jackson 4. Will Spetch (9. Harry Baker 64m) 5. Jamie Whisken (c) 6. Josh Leslie-Smith 7. Josh Carmichael 8. Coby Moore 16. Luke Pardoe (14. Adam Grange 72m) 10. Marvin Brooks (3. Jack Smeeton 86m) 11. Luke Holmes
Subs not used: 13. Harry Philips [GK] 17. Richard Gillespie
Goalscorers: Marvin Brooks 14m, Will Spetch 20m
Star Man: Jamie Whisken
Cards:
Jack Dickson 66m

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SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Manager: Lee Spalding
Line-up: 1. Martin Horsell 2. Louis Spalding 3. Michael Hopkins 4. Jamie Edge 5. Matt Coupe 6. Mat Liddiard (c) 7. Henry Spalding (14. Joe Shepherd 87m) 8. George Dowling (15. Brad Hooper 56m) 9. Harry Williams (16. Stuart Fleetwood 46m) 10. Conor McDonagh 11. Ryan Campbell
Subs not used: 12. Matt Williams 17. Alex Henshall
Goalscorers: None
Star Man: Mat Liddiard
Cards:
Stuart Fleetwood 66m, Louis Spalding 77m,

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MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Ben Williamson (Melksham)
Assistant Referees: Luke Fabry (Fareham), Ben Duffill (Bulford)