Royal Wootton Bassett Town 3 Marine 4

Match Report from Pete Crockett

MARINE REACH THE WILTS PREMIER SHIELD FINAL

Marine reached their third Wiltshire Premier Shield final in four seasons with a hard-earned victory against a Royal Wootton Bassett Town team who will feel they could well have won the match had they finished their chances more clinically.

Stuart Fleetwood made ten changes from the starting eleven that won at Plymouth Parkway. His selection consisted of several members of the first team squad, a number of development players, and one more experienced player. This very much repeated the approach used in earlier matches in this competition.

Bassett had the first meaningful chance when a misplaced Dan Brabham clearance offered Brad Pagliaroli the opportunity to run at goal. The Bassett player drove forward and from the edge of the box fired a shot to the keepers right. The Marine custodian rectified his original error with an excellent save pushing the shot around the post.

Minutes later Bassett had another effort on goal following some excellent build up play down the right flank. Brad Pagliaroli slid a ball into the right side of the Marine penalty area which found a teammate who drilled a shot towards the near post where it was easily gathered.

Bassett took the lead when a midfield pass from the lively Pagliaroli sent Alfie Presley clear down the left wing. He drove a low cross-shot into the area which was spilt by Marine’s keeper and netted by Jowan Partridge. On the balance of the early exchanges the Bassett lead was most certainly a deserved one.

Bassett then had yet another chance when Jowan Partridge played in Alfie Presley on the left side of the Marine area - he took a touch and fired a low shot at goal that was easily saved. Marine’s first meaningful effort arose from Stuart Fleetwood’s menacing in-swinging corner that was palmed onto the crossbar by Bassett’s keeper.

Bassett doubled their lead on 28 minutes when a free kick from thirty yards out found Alfie Presley who eluded his markers to half-volley home from twelve yards. The finish was a composed one with a deft touch to work the ball in front of him to set up the finish.

On 42 minutes Marine halved the deficit Dayo Sonoiki from central midfield played the ball to Josh Briggs who played a slick one-two with Dylan Griffin to break clear down the right. He in turn slid a precision pass into the area for GABE REIVERS who finished emphatically. A well worked goal involving four young players.

In first half injury time Marine were on level terms. ANTON DWORZAK received the ball in a central position thirty yards from goal. He struck a low skimming shot goalwards that bounced over the hand of Oliver Philips the diving Bassett keeper. In all honesty Marine will have been both pleased and relieved to go in for the half time break on level terms.

Marine created the first significant opening of the second half slickly playing through the zones. Jake Lee picked up the ball on the edge of his own area. He found Anton Dworzak in midfield who drove forward and played the ball to Gabe Reivers who in turn fed the ball to Cheldon Valere on the left flank. The wide man dribbled across the front of the Bassett area and got his shot away, but his effort was slightly scuffed and thus easily gathered,

There was then a five-minute spell where both sides had a goal disallowed by the officials. Marine were the first to be irked when a Stuart Fleetwood cross was dinked home by Lucias Vine. However, the referee disallowed the goal considering a scissor kick attempt from Gabe Reivers to be endangering a defender who was, in the eyes of many, never at risk. A few minutes later Bassett thought they had taken the lead when a right-wing free kick was netted at the back post. However, their celebrations were curtailed by a raised offside flag.

On 65 minutes Marine took the lead. Anton Dworzak picked up the ball in a central position some twenty yards from goal. He threaded an angled pass to Olly Mehew who from the right edge of the area zipped a low cross across the six-yard box which was finished by LUCIAS VINE.

Bassett were in no mood to give up and forced Marine keeper Dan Brabham into a couple of sharp saves. It was though the Swindonian’s who scored next. A looped deflection fell to Cheldon Valere who guided the ball to the back-post where GABE REIVERS tapped home from close range.

Marine were still having to battle and a slick move down Bassett’s left flank saw a low cross looking destined for a tap in at the back post. However, Dayo Sonoiki thwarted the advancing forwards with excellent defensive covering. In the 85th minute George Peare also forced a good diving save from Dan Brabham who dived to his left to parry a well struck shot from the edge of the penalty box.

In the 88th minute Bassett’s Finn Hopkins picked up the ball thirty-five yards from goal. He dribbled past three defenders and nonchalantly slotted the ball into the back of the net to half the deficit. Marine were now having to batten down the hatches to survive the final minutes with Bassett’s George Peare forcing Dan Brabham to make another good save.

At the final whistle even the most curmudgeonly Marine supporter would be hard pressed not to feel some sympathy for the Bassett players. They played some excellent football and may well have won had they, (a) taken their chances and (b) not come up against a keeper who made some high-quality saves.

Having watched them several times this season I very much like the way they look to play the ball to feet - they endeavour do things the right way. Several of their players impressed - Brad Pagliaroli was a major threat – particularly in the first half; Jowan Partridge looked a composed footballer; Alfie Presley a sharp forward; and George Peare a strong physical striker.

From a Marine perspective a number of positives emerged. Having made an early mistake for the first goal Dan Brabham showed excellent character pulling off a string of quality saves. Meanwhile Lucias Vine confirmed he has an excellent goal scorer’s instinct. First team regulars Gabe Reivers and Anton Dworzak showed real quality in midfield and scored three goals between them.

However, it was the performance of the development players that most caught my eye, Dylan Griffin put in a tidy first half and was involved in the build up for the first Marine goal; Josh Briggs was comfortable in possession and showed good defensive nous; and Cheldon Valere looks an excellent prospect with his ability to run at defenders.

The player who most caught my eye was Dayo Sonoiki. He has that enviable knack of making things look simple in the way he finds space. In possession he has a good eye for a forward pass. He also sees defensive dangers and made one crucial interception to prevent a Bassett tap in. For a young player he also has impressive body strength and is not easily knocked off the ball. For a player so young he shows an impressive footballing maturity that augers well for his future.

A good evening of football with two teams playing the game the right way.

Well done Marine!

Bassett Star Man: Alfie Presley
Marine Star Man: Dayo Sonoiki

Attendance: Est 145

Well done Marine!

Line Ups

ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT TOWN
Colours: Green & Black
Manager: Sam Collier
Line-up: 1. Oliver Phillips 2. Zach Pettifer 3. Jowan Partridge 6. Ollie Case 7. Alfie Presley (15. Oliver Pitt 58’) 9. George Peare 10. Tommy Ouldridge 11. Bailey Gallagher 19. Brad Pagliaroli 20. Finlay Hopkins 11. Jack Hobson-McVeigh (15. Noah Cranswick-Coates 58’) Subs Not Used: 14. Dan Hill, 16. Dan Grieve, 17. Tom Moore
Goalscorers: Zach Pettifer 8’ , Alfie Presley 28’ , Finlay Hopkins 90’
Cards:
Brad Pagliaroli 53’, Jack Hobson-McVeigh 56’, Alfie Presley 60’
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SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: All Yellow
Line-up: 1. Dan Brabham 2. Josh Briggs (14. Liban Ibrahim 46’) 3. Liam Angel 4. Jake Lee (c) 5. Stuart Fleetwood 6. Oludayo Sonoiki 7. Cheldon Valere 8. Anton Dworzak 9. Lucias Vine 10. Gabe Reivers 11. Dylan Griffin (14. Olly Mehew 46’)
Subs not used: 13. Tom Davis, 14. Liam Clark, 15. Josh McKinlay
Goalscorers: Gabe Reivers 41’, 68’ , Anton Dworzak 45’ Lucias Vine 63’
Cards:
Oludayo Sonoiki 27’, Stuart Fleetwood 65’
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