Winchester 2 Marine 2

Match Report from Pete Crockett

MARINE SHOW GRIT AND QUALITY TO EARN A POINT

Here, as so often in the Southern League, the match turned on moments so fleeting you might have missed them with a blink. Both sides left believing themselves a single moment away from their decisive third goal.

For Swindon Supermarine that moment arrived in the 19th minute, Dayo Sonoiki stealing into the Winchester six-yard box only to see his close-range effort recoil cruelly from the bar.

For Winchester City the moment will be Bradley Waters’ rasping 72nd minute drive bending inexorably toward the far corner until Luke Purnell, airborne and improbably elastic clawed it away in a save that defied physics – it was ‘Banksesque’.

Winchester began as if determined to settle matters early. Inside the opening minute Marine were forced into a series of brave blocking interventions to repel a flurry of shots. Five minutes in the Citizens debutant Rafa Ramos then escaped down the left and tested Purnell with a skidding drive that demanded sharp handling.

Yet football remains a game that delights in ambush. Marine’s first meaningful attack, in the eighth minute, brought the opening goal. Zac Rugman glanced a header into Conor McDonagh’s path, he dribbled across the box and fired a shot at goal that fell kindly for Frankie Monk who, after a touch for control, slipped it adroitly beneath the advancing goalkeeper with practiced calm.

Three minutes later Marine struck again. Sam Turl overlapped intelligently and delivered a fizzing cross which Frankie Monk met with a finish of composure and certainty.

Winchester responded with purpose rather than panic. Conor Whiteley twice threatened, once curling narrowly wide from the edge of the area, then forcing Marine keeper Luke Purnell into a fine one-on-one save after springing the Marine high line.

Piotr Petrynski meanwhile went close for Marine, while Monk ended the half by weaving through defenders only to lift his effort just over the bar. Marine had impressed but the sense remained that the interval would bring a ferocious response from the home side.

It duly arrived. Within three minutes of the restart a swift counter sent Rafa Ramos clear, and he drove his shot forcefully beyond the Marine keeper. Winchester pressed, Waters and Whiteley probing, Baughan unable to convert a rebound but the equaliser came on 59 minutes.

Dan Bradshaw’s cross exquisite, Rafa Ramos controlling and finishing with authority at the back post. Monk thought he had restored Marine’s lead minutes late, racing clear to score only for the assistant’s offside flag to stifle his celebration. Ramos continued to menace down the home teams left flank, Waters again denied by Purnell, Petrynski alert to clear the loose ball.

Monk departed on 78 minutes after a robust and unpunished challenge that incensed the travelling support, yet Marine did not retreat. Instead, in the closing stages, it was they who pressed for victory: Max Hemmings’ free kick driven under the wall skidding past the outside of the post and Rapha Oppong’s drive from the edge of the box being deflected wide amid a tangle of legs.

Those Marine supporters inclined to see the glass half empty will rue Marine’s not protecting a two-goal advantage. Those of a more constructive disposition will point to a resilient and tenacious display away to a side chasing promotion. At 2–2, with half an hour still to play Marine might have folded. They did not. They resisted, reorganised, and finished the match looking the likelier to score the winning goal. For me this was a very good Marine performance.

The final whistle brought warm applause from the travelling supporters, appreciative of their team’s efforts. This was a contest that reflected well on the Southern League. It was well handled by referee Anthony Cross who got the big decisions right.

Frankie Monk, with his two goals, Luke Purnell with his acrobatics, and Olly Case with his commanding defensive authority all laid claim to being player of the match; Monk just edged the verdict.

Post match Marine manager Bobby Wilkinson was immensely proud of his team. He felt in the first half they played some slick passing football. He was also delighted with the defensive resilience his side showed for the final half hour of the match. He felt it said a lot for the positive character of his team that in the final ten minutes of the match it was they who were the more threatening.

Come on Marine!

Attendance: 373

Manager:	Craig Davis
Line-up:	Colours: Claret & Sky
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1.	Tommy Scott [GK]
2.	Callum Baughan
3.	Dan King		34’
4.	Matt Neale			12.	Brad Waters 46’
5.	Luke King (c)
6.	Dan Walster			15.	Jamie Barron 46’
7.	Jez Bedford			16.	Oscar McCulloch 95’
8.	Conor Whitely
9.	Tommy Wright			14.	Oliver Balmer 75’
10.	Dan Bradshaw
11.	Rafa Ramos	48’ 59’

Editors Star Man: Rafa Ramos
Subs not used: 17. Ryan Price (GK)

Manager:	Bobby Wilkinson
Line-up:	Colours: All Yellow
No	Player	Goals	Card	No	Substitute	Goals	Card
1	Luke Purnell [GK]
2	Sam Turl
3	Piotr Petrynski
4	Olly Case
5	Jamie Edge			17	Josh Blyth 50’
6	Tawana Changa
7	Dayo Sonoiki		91’
8	Max Hemmings (c)		28’
9	Conor McDonagh			14	Rapha Oppong 65’
10	Zach Rugman			15	Sal Abubakar 50’
11	Frankie Monk	9’ 12’		16	Joe Owiti 62’

Editors Star Man: Frankie Monk
Subs not used: 12 Sid Gbla