Westbury United 3 Marine 0

Match Report from Pete Crockett

All good things come to an end

Swindon Supermarine’s six-match winning league run ended at Westbury United after Joe Shepherd’s 14th-minute dismissal gave the hosts an early numerical advantage.

Shepherd challenged for the ball directly in front of the home dugout, with Marine convinced he had played it fairly. Westbury players converged on the referee, their goalkeeper sprinting some 30 yards to join the protests, while the home bench reacted animatedly. The referee produced a red card and Marine were left facing more than 75 minutes with ten men.

Visiting supporters were unconvinced by the decision. Marine also seemed perturbed that comparable incidents as the match progressed did not always bring comparable outcomes.

Westbury, though, exploited their advantage clinically. They went ahead in the 23rd minute through an excellent Josh Jenkins free-kick. Their second followed loose distribution from goalkeeper Joel Halliday, which was intercepted and punished by Ben Starr.

Marine continued to compete, but their task was considerable. At times their players appeared wary in the challenge, uncertain where the referee’s line had been drawn.

The hosts made the game safe in the 67th minute. A swift counter-attack opened Marine up and Ben Starr finished assuredly for his second of the evening.

The 3-0 scoreline therefore reflected Westbury’s efficiency, although Marine supporters were inevitably left wondering how the contest might have developed at eleven against eleven.

This season there have been several matches, in victory and defeat, when the referee’s contribution has deserved favourable mention. Few of a Marine disposition are likely to add this evening to the collection.

Officials, like players, are entitled to their errors, though on this occasion the reasoning by which apparently similar incidents could produce rather different outcomes was decidedly befuddling.

There was no disguising Westbury’s clinical response to the opportunity presented to them, but equally no escaping the sense among the travelling support that the dismissal had fundamentally altered the complexion of the contest.

One defeat, however, does little to diminish an excellent start to the season. Afterwards manager Bobby Wilkinson praised his players for what they have achieved so far. Six successive league victories preceded this setback; Marine will now look to ensure that one frustrating evening remains precisely that.

Come on Marine!

Attendance: 206

LINE UP’S

WESTBURY UNITED

Managers:	Ricky Hulbert	Lewis	Porter
Line-up:	Colours: All Green
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card	No	Substitute
1.	Joel Butler [GK]
6.	Dan Restorick
7.	Jack Whitcombe		58’	4.	Keene Ashwood 66’
8.	Aaron Witchell			16.	Cole Fleming 72’
9.	Leighton James			2.	Steve Hulbert 90’
11.	Ben Starr
19.	Jamie Jordan			3.	Tyrese Carter 83’
20.	Josh Jenkins			17.	William Taylor 81’
21.	Ethan Witchell
22.	Bevan Cross
23.	Ryan Boyle (c)

Subs not used: None
Editors Star Player: Ben Starr

MARINE

Manager:	Bobby Wilkinson
Line-up:	Colours: All Yellow
No:	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1.	Joel Halliday (GK)
2.	Sam Turl (c)		17’
3.	Rhys Tyler			16.	Lucas Wilkinson 72’
4.	Olly Case			14.	Miles Ferguson 72’
5.	Jowan Partridge
6.	Tawana Changa
7.	Conor Lynch			12.	Jacob Bancroft 52’
8.	Zach Rugman			17.	Jamie Edge 66’
9	Dan Warre		16’
10.	Joe Shepherd		14’
11.	Tyger-J Hall		39’	15.	Marcel Lewis 66’

Subs not used: None
Editors Star Player: Jowan Partridge