Swindon Supermarine 1 Dorchester Town 0

Match Report from Pete Crockett

MARINE SECURE A HARD-FOUGHT VICTORY

The decisive moment of this match occurred in the 47th minute. A long ball was played over the top of the visiting back four. Marine’s Michael Fernandes gathered the ball on the right flank and showed the trailing defenders a clean pair of heels. Approaching the goal line he drove a low cross to the front post where Harry Williams slipped his marker to volley the ball home for his fifth goal in five matches.

The first half saw the two teams sizing each other up. Chances were limited as the two teams went toe to toe in midfield. Marine’s best opening saw Gabe Reivers hit a shot into the side netting. Meanwhile minutes before half time an effort from the visitor’s Olaf Koszela took a deflection but agilely Dan Brabham adjusted his footing to push the shot away.

After the Marine goal Dorchester pressed forward with zeal. In the 53rd minute an Olaf Koszela free kick was pushed onto the post by the Marine keeper. Then a minute later Dan Brabham gathered a strike from the Magpie’s Marcus Daws.

The match settled into a pattern - Dorchester pressing forward and Marine looking to pick them off on the counterattack. The visitors were struggling to find a way through a resilient Marine defence. The only significant chance the visitor’s had was a Wayne Robinson effort in the 80th minute that was well gathered by the Marine keeper.

Dorchester will travel back to Thomas Hardy country disappointed that for all their periods of possession they struggled to create clear cut openings. A couple of their players caught the eye – Olaf Koszela showed some good touches up front and Jordan Ngalo was impressive in their midfield.

Stuart Fleetwood in his post-match interview felt this was Marine’s best defensive performance in his time at the club. It is hard to disagree with that conclusion. Dan Brabham was once again impressive between the sticks. Full backs Sam Turl and Ryan Campbell were excellent in preventing crosses from dangerous areas. Unable to get into the danger areas Dorchester were forced to cross from in front of Marine’s back four and both Ioan Richards and Jake Lee were commanding defensively.

Marine’s midfield were tenacious in their tackling and closing down. They also kept a good defensive shape. The energy levels of Liban Ibrahim, Zack Kotwica, and Gabe Reivers were awesome. Harry Williams and substitute Dave Sims-Burgess defended diligently from the front. They also held the ball up well to offer some respite from defending.

Michael Fernandes produced the quality moment of the match with his excellent cross that led to the goal. What also caught my eye was how disciplined both he and Olly Mehew were with the more defensive aspects of the game. They tucked back into a defensive midfield five that Dorchester struggled to penetrate. Sometimes football matches are won by the whole team discipline of working collectively to stay in a solid defensive shape.

The match was enhanced by good officiating by referee Charlie Bullock and his assistants. They got the balance between intervention and allowing the game to flow just right. So, a sixth clean sheet in the league exceeds the number secured in all of 2023/24 season. That is a positive as is Marine moving into the top half of the table. The next challenge is to get that Webbswood indefatigability into Marine performances away from home.

Come on Marine!

Marine Star Men: Zack Kotwica
Dorchester Star Man: Jordan Ngalo
Attendance: 281

Line Ups

SWINDON SUPERMARINE
Head Coach: Stuart Fleetwood
Colours: Blue & White Hoops
Line-up: 1. Dan Brabham 2. Sam Turl 3. Ryan Campbell (c) 4. Jake Lee 5.Ioan Richards 6. Liban Ibrahim 7. Zack Kotwica 8. Gabe Reivers 9. Harry Williams (12.Dave Sims-Burgess 68’) 10. Michael Fernandes 11. Olly Mehew
Subs not used: 13. Luke Purnell, 14. Lucias Vine, 15. Cheldon Valere, 20. Nick Peare,
Goalscorers: Harry Williams 47’
Cards:
Ryan Campbell 48’, Michael Fernandes 77’
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DORCHESTER TOWN
Manager: Glen Howes
Colours: All Yellow
Line-up: 1. Gerard Benfield 2. Jack Dickson 5. Jordan Ngalo (c) 18. Ieuan Turner 6. Tom Bragg 7. Wes Fogden (14. Kyran Samadi 80’) 8. Corby Moore 9. Olaf Koszela 15. Matt Buse (11. Wayne Robinson 58’) 17. Matt Daws (3. Oliver Haste 63’) 19. Luke Pardoe (12. Luke Roberts 83’)
Subs Not Used: 16. Brendan Holmes
Goalscorers: None
Cards:
Marcus Daws 38’, Corby Moore 88’, Luke Roberts 90+2’
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Match Gallery

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Courtesy of Alex White Photography

Post Match Team Sheet

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Courtesy of Southern Football League

Match Officials

Referee: Charlie Bullock
Assistant Referees: Andy Wertheim, Paul Herbert