Match report from a Swindon perspective

REES HAT-TRICK DOWNS MARINE
The 4-1 score line was arguably a tad harsh on Marine. However, Merthyr were a class side who used the slick 4G surface very effectively to play some swift passing football. They were, conceivably, the best attacking side Marine have played this season so far. If the Martyrs could consistently repeat this form they would be exceptionally strong candidates for an automatic promotion spot.

For 35 minutes Marine survived a heavy barrage from the hosts. There were courageous defensive blocks and good saves from Conor Brann. Marine were also causing the host’s defence alarm and created chances too. Liban Ibrahim had a shot well saved; Joe Tumelty had an effort just over the bar; and Mat Liddiard had an on-target header blocked in the six-yard box. Had Marine scored the first goal the match might have had a different or tighter outcome.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 35th minute. The Martyr’s Ricardo Rees was played in by Gethyn Hill. The striker cut in from the left flank and curled an unstoppable shot past Conor Brann into the top corner of the net.

The host’s second goal in the 37th minute left Marine facing a huge task. Ricardo Rees fed in Ollie Mehew who hit a perfectly placed shot past the Marine keeper.

In the second half Marine dug deep for 25 minutes and got one back when some excellent Marine passing created an opening for Henry Spalding whose well struck shot beat the host’s keeper as it flew past him into the bottom corner of the goal.

Marine now needed to keep things tight for a while in the hope of building some momentum in the final stages of the match. Alas, they conceded almost instantly when Noah Smerdon played in the irrepressible Ricardo Rees who advanced on goal, beat a defender, and finished with panache slotting the ball in the far corner of the net.

In injury time, with Marine pushing forward, the effervescent Ricardo Rees secured his hat trick with yet another assured finish from an Olly Mehew squared ball. Quite simply Ricardo Rees had produced an outstanding display of forward play with three goals and an assist.

This match needs to be seen in context. Several home team supporters said that was the best attacking performance they had seen from their team this season; Marine were also not as bad as the score line suggests - they will not play a team with this quality too often; and Merthyr’s Ricardo Rees produced an outstanding display of forward play which would not have been out of place a league or two higher.

Context also matters – Marine’s last three away matches saw Marine play two sides going for automatic promotion in Gosport Borough and Merthyr Town and one side pushing for the play offs in Hendon. If any Marine supporter had been offered six points from those three away fixtures they would have thought that a very good return.

However, in South Wales Marine played an outstanding team who were, in all honesty, too strong for them on the day - no shame in that - sometimes you just have to give credit to the quality of an opponent.

The game was well refereed by Jake Woolley. He was an official happy to let the players play without being overly fussy or obtrusive. The officials very much added to the quality of entertainment on show.

From a Marine perspective Conor Brann was outstanding between the sticks and Liban Ibrahim was non-stop in midfield. Overall Marine were not short on character nor effort – they just had the misfortune to come up against a strong team having a good day.

On to the next match - come on Marine!

Editors Merthyr Star Man: Ricardo Rees
Editors Marine Star Man: Conor Brann
Attendance: 1,087

Seems a fair account of proceedings.