As reported by WES ESSEX from the Brading Town website.
Brading Town’s unbeaten start to the season came to an end on Saturday, but it was no disgrace in losing 4-0 away to a strong Swindon Supermarine side from the Zamaretto Premier league. Manager Steve Brougham knew it was going to be a difficult game playing a side two divisions higher, but his job was made much harder without regular first team keeper Gareth True and reserve keeper Darren Plumbley, both out injured. It meant Brougham had to call in the services of a keeper he had never met, or seen play. Ex-Bognor Regis and Fareham keeper Tyrone Hoare. To add to Brougham’s woes, central defender Ollie Fleming had to face a late fitness test after suffering from a neck problem all week. Fortunately, he passed the test but admitted afterwards he was not 100%. With late call offs and with players unavailable, Will Sturgess and Luke Hitchcox were brought into the squad for cover.
The game started in glorious sunshine in front of a crowd of only 82, the home side’s local rivals Swindon Town and Highworth were both at home. The hosts started the better of the two sides and keeper Hoare was forced into making a fine one handed save at his near post. Brading’s best opportunity early on fell to Jones when he turned in the box and shot, but his effort was comfortably saved by Scott in Swindon’s goal. With 20 minutes gone, the home side took the lead, a short corner down the left was not cleared by the Brading defence and after Hoare kept the first strike out, the ball fell to Tooze who easily scored.
The Romans did not let their heads drop and looked the better side for the last 20 minutes of the half. Three minutes from the interval the visitors produced their best move of the game, Przepolewski passed the ball forward to Jones, who midway in the opponents half, cleverly flicked the ball round his marker to Levrier, his first time lay-off fell invitingly for Appell to have a crack on goal, but his low drive was saved comfortably by Scott.
The second half started badly for the visitors, the hosts increased their lead within a minute of the restart. Gosling was allowed to turn on the edge of the box and his fierce shot found the bottom left corner of the net. Five minutes later it was 3-0 when a defensive mix-up allowed the home side to set up Allen for a strike on goal and he didn’t disappoint, an unstoppable shot past Hoare into the top corner. On the hour the injured Fleming was replaced by Ince, with Quigley switching to centre-half.
Swindon were still pushing forward and Hoare needed to be at his best to tip over another long range effort and bravely dive at the feet of Tooze, when it was odds on he would score. With just over 20 minutes left Brading had their best chance of the game to grab a goal back. A corner from the right was met by the head of Rayner, the ball looked to be going in before a defender on the line headed clear. Seven minutes from time Swindon Supermarine completed their scoring when Hopper scored from close range. Brading played their part in an entertaining game and the club wish our hospitable hosts the best of luck in the next round.

