Swindon Supermarine v Salisbury Preview

Swindon Supermarine v Salisbury Preview

From Nick Taylor

This Easter Saturday afternoon’s Wilshire Derby-Part 2 promises to be cracker full of eggcitement, with both hosts Swindon Supermarine and visitors Salisbury desperate for the points for opposing reasons.

With the Whites looking to regain second place in the league, a position they have held for a long period up until last week, in order to have home advantage in the forthcoming playoffs, whilst Marine attempt to keep clear of the dreaded relegation zone!

With a playoff place particularly guaranteed, Brian Dutton’s side have performed consistently this season as they have remaining in the top three throughout. With strong home form exhibited at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium although life on the road hasn’t been as fruitful.

The two sides met early season with Salisbury claiming a 3-2 victory in the second week of the season. Having gone 2-0 early in the game, thanks to a brace from ex-Marine striker James Harding with Marine rallying second half with goals from Joe Tumelty and Levi Irving, who of course is now playing at Salisbury.

Ex-Walsall Manager Brian Dutton has built a strong squad with an array of gifted young talent brought in from other Southern League clubs to the South Wiltshire City. Former Didcot Town youngster Josh Hedges has hit nine goals from midfield and they also signed Owen Dore from North Leigh.

Goals have also been impressively shared around the Whites squad with ex-Chippenham Town striker Noah Coppin scoring thirteen goals to date and skipper Sido Jombati who counts the likes of Wycombe Wanderers and Cheltenham Town as former clubs, has weighed in with various penalties in his tally of nine goals.

Looking ahead to the game, Marine Manager Stuart Fleetwood commented; “It’s a great game for both clubs on a busy Easter weekend. Salisbury will want to keep the pressure on Chesham United and we are fighting for our Premier Division survival.”

“It’s sure to be a critical game. We have a full squad available to pick from. Apart from Harry Williams this is whom we signed from Salisbury in early February. At the time of signing we had a gentlemen’s agreement that Harry wouldn’t play against them this Saturday. The same will also apply to Levi Irving who joined Salisbury a couple of weeks later in February.”