Midweek cup football conjures up images of glamorous European nights, the romance of an FA Cup replay or even a chance to book an early appearance at Wembley in the Carling Cup.
It is therefore fair to say that, in comparison, Swindon Supermarine’s Errea Cup fourth round trip to league rivals Mangotsfield United failed to grab the imagination, so much so that a sorry crowd of under 100 turned out to see Mark Collier’s men ease their way into the last eight.
Supermarine had been left without a fixture for over a week due to two postponements so the game provided Marine with the perfect opportunity to eradicate from the mind their 5-0 mauling at the hands of Team Bath in their last run out.
Unlike in the previous round, Collier named a strong side, but had to make do without the services of the injured David Stroud and the unavailable Leigh Henry. The absence of the two former Swindon Town youngsters made way for the returning Chris Thompson and the latest former Robin to join the Marine nest, Alex Rigley.
Mangotsfield themselves were without a win in eight, and their team selection suggested this was a game they were targeting to bring to an end that winless streak. The hosts, however, failed to start in the manner their manager might have hoped and Marine took charge from the off.
Top scorer Richard Kear and fellow front man Jason Welsh had both fired early warning strikes before Danny Allen’s ninth minute goal, drilled home from 20 yards. This goal was Allen’s eighth of the season which is no mean feat from left back!
Conceding early failed to ignite the Mangos and Marine continued to dominate but failed to capitalise on their considerable possession and neat football. Despite a wealth of half chances the visitors had to wait till the final ten minutes of the first half for their next real chance in front of goal, with Welsh seeing his fierce effort flash wide of the upright.
They did, however, find the breakthrough for the second just before the interval. Stuart Pearson sent a lovely through ball over the host’s backline. Kear picked up the loose ball and rounded goalkeeper Josh Clapham, calmly side footing in from 10 yards. The 2-0 half time score line reflected Marine’s dominance and with Mangotsfield failing to register a single shot on target in the first 45 minutes it was half a job well done.
The second half was a more evenly contested affair but the hosts were grateful to their keeper Clapham, who denied Welsh with a fine save in the opening stages after the break.
Clapham was again to thank when he thwarted first Kyle Lapham and then Alex Rigley with two smart reaction saves.
Midway through the second half Mangotsfield created their first half chance of the match but Allan Griffin headed wide from a Sam Bailey cross. As the game entered its final stages Collier made three substitutions with youngster Sean Wood making only his fourth appearance of the season. Wood, who has impressed in his other three outings and with a stunning winning goal previously to his name, continued to impress in his latest cameo with a series of strong tackles and effective passes.
At the very end of a fairly uneventful second 45 minutes the home side recorded their FIRST shot on target of the game. However, substitute James Crew saw his shot saved well by Tom King. All in all a job done well done by Marine, whose dominance was not reflected in the final scoreline.
No glamour of Europe, no romance of the FA Cup, not even the chance of an early trip to Wembley – but, nonetheless, through to the next round for Marine.
Supermarine will head north on Saturday to King’s Lynn for a game against the league leaders in front of a crowd of over 1000, and spare a thought for this reporter who will be on the player’s coach leaving Swindon at 8:30am…and there I was thinking we played in the SOUTHERN league.
LEIGH MOORE
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