Swindon Supermarine leave it late to grab a point against Chesham United

Swindon Supermarine travelled to the Meadow to take on Chesham United in a return to league action following their excellent FA Trophy win last weekend.

Manager Lee Spalding missed out with illness so assistant boss Charlie Griffin took the reins and made a couple of tactical changes. Cup tied Joe Tumelty and Will Tunnicliff returned to the starting lineup with James Harding ruled out with a back injury and Conor McDonagh dropping to the bench as Marine went with a 4-3-3 lineup.

The change seemed to work a treat as the high flying Generals struggled to get going and it was Tumelty who was the first to nearly break through but was shrugged off the ball at the end.

The hosts who had scored freely all season were well shackled by an excellent back four display by Marine and the chances were rare at both ends.

Just after the half hour Chesham forward German went in very late on keeper Josh Gould and earnt himself not just the yellow card but also an early departure with injury as he came off second best. Deep into injury time Harry Williams found himself in the book as well for a lunge.

A good half for Marine keeping the front line so quiet all match. Marine started well again in the second half with the astounding workrate all over the pitch making Chesham make a second change – Connors on for Makoli who had no joy against Sam Turl whatsoever.

By the hour mark Marine were looking the more likely but Chesham decided to throw a few more forward in the last twenty and the pressure started to be exerted. From one of these chances on 71 minutes top scorer Oliyide played a one-two with Edwards but his finish came back off the post. Almost instantly Marine broke and a great ball in from Ryan Campbell saw Harry Williams get his studs to the cross but not enough to divert it home.

With legs tiring on the heavy surface spaces finally started to appear – Kotwica replacing Spalding on 74. Mat Liddiard blocked one away off the line soon after and Dowling then replaced Tumelty to beef up the midfield for the last 10.

Chesham were now throwing the kitchen sink at it and Josh Gould made an excellent tip over the top. On 83 minutes Marine broke away and Williams appeared to be brought down in the box but the referee waved away the appeals. Ty Duffus almost got on the end of a deep corner on 84 but deflected it wide before the deadlock was finally broken by the hosts.

From a free kick – not dissimilar to the “foul” not given on Williams but outside the box Sutherland crossed the ball deep into the 6 yard box and Prosper got to the ball just ahead of Gould to head home.

Harsh on the reflection of effort given on the day but Marine would not give up and showed tremendous character. Conor McDonagh was thrown on in place of Edge and Chesham were into the time wasting period of the match with Connors booked for kicking the ball away.

Deep into injury time Marine got their just reward. Harry Williams somehow found himself the wrong side of the defence, produced some neat trickery to beat the one remaining defender before looping it past the keeper. That’s 19 goals for the season now for Harry – 15 in the League and for someone playing pretty much as a lone striker and who never stopped running a just reward for him too.

A great point against one of the best attacks in the league.