Poole Town 4 Marine 0

Match Report from Pete Crockett

This Marine performance could be reduced to a match report of three words – NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

Magic Johnson’s quote on losing seems particularly apt – “In life winning and losing will both happen. What is never acceptable is quitting.“ By the end of the match there were players who had visibly abdicated adherence with the most basic concept of teamwork – putting in a shift to support your mates.

In terms of the match report itself I will use extracts from the report from the Poole Town website, written by Finn Payne, which gives a fair account of the main events:

“4-0 win over Swindon Supermarine saw Poole Town further distance themselves from relegation. The Dolphins looked on top in the early stages as Ezio Touray’s chipped effort in the 10th minute sailed just wide of the post.

The away side fought back into the game and created chances of their own as Zack Kotwica’s effort crashed off the crossbar. The game was deadlocked until half an hour on when Kris Campbell breezed passed his man and slotted his shot into the bottom corner to give Poole the lead.

As the teams came out for the second half it did not take long for Poole to find their second through Kris Campbell who was in the right place to poke the ball home.

After continuous pressure Poole had their third in the 75th minute as Selim Saied scored the third after working his way up the left flank, cutting his way inside, and curling a shot in the far corner.

Six added minutes gave the Dolphins time to get one more as Salem Saied scored his second after converting a fast counterattack to make it four.“

The last goal very much summed up Marine’s Day with referee Harrison inextricably, from the viewpoint of visiting players and supporters, ignoring what appeared the clearest of fouls on Marine’s Ryan Campbell in the build up. If I look at the match from a Marine perspective there is so much to say.

Firstly, prior to this match Poole Town had won three of their previous four matches. They were a team in form having the week before beaten league leaders Merthyr Town in South Wales. Losing to Poole Town is no shame – losing in the way Marine did should be.

Secondly, watching Marine in the second half the lack of understanding between the players was concerning. Marine looked like a side of talented footballers from different clubs thrown together for a testimonial match – they played like strangers who had barely been introduced.

Thirdly, despite the 4-0 defeat the defence was not for me the problem area. Dan Brabham kept the score down with a series of excellent saves. Meanwhile the back four of Sam Turl, Ioan Richards, Liam Angel, and Ryan Campbell were far too often outnumbered as some of their teammates considered tracking back to be an optional extra.

Fourthly, in a relegation struggle you cannot carry passengers and faint hearts. There were Marine players on that pitch who let themselves, their teammates, the management, and the supporters down.

Fifthly, no player should want a relegation campaign on their playing record. However, there were some whose attitude and body language suggested they do not care sufficiently to fight to avoid it. That is an inexcusable lack of personal and professional pride.

We have two league matches left. If Marine produce the lackadaisical approach evident in this match they will be relegated. In these final matches the very least Marine supporters should expect is that everyone who dons a Marine shirt gives their all to the cause.

To the passengers and faint hearts show some character and personal pride. It is time to take note of a quote from a German poet - Berthold Brecht: If you fight you might lose. If you do not you have already lost!

Editors Poole Star Man: Selim Saied
Editors Marine Star Man: Dan Brabham
Attendance: 681

Line Ups

Line Ups

POOLE TOWN
Manager: Joe Lea, Pat Suraci
Colours: Red & White
Line-up: 1. Ben Taylor 2. Oakley Hanger (15. Harry Thomas 76’) 3. Chris Bartzelis 4. Josh Staunton 5. Jamie Whisken (c) 6. Billy Lowes 10. Ezio Touray (11. Tom Hewlett 76’) 14. Kris Campbell (20. Charlie Steven 78’) 16. Selim Saied 17. Harvey Slade (9. Sam Ashton 81’) 19. Tyrique Clarke (8. Charlie Davis 64’)
Subs Not Used: None
Goalscorers: Kris Campbell 30’, 47’ , Selim Saied 76’, 90+1’
Cards:
Ezio Touray 37’, Tom Hewlett 90+3’
None
None

SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: Blue & White Hoops
Line-up: 1. Dan Brabham 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell 4. Liam Angel (14.Jake Lee 81’) 5. Ioan Richards (8.Nick Peare 81’) 6. Jamie Edge (15.Dave Sims-Burgess 61’) 7. Zack Kotwica 9. Harry Williams 10. Henry Spalding (17.Anton Dworzak 72’) 11. Olly Mehew (16.Michael Fernandes 46’)
Subs not used: None
Goalscorers: None
Cards:
Nick Peare 86’, Anton Dworzak 90+2’
None
None

Match Gallery

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Courtesy of Alex White Photography

Team Sheet

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Courtesy of The Pitching In Southern League

Match Officials

Referee: Robert Harrison
Assistant Referees: McCauley Antell, Adam Hillier