Competition

Date

Wednesday 25th August 2010

Match Report

Collier believes Chesham point is 'the benchmark'

By Anthony Marshall » Courtesy of the Swindon Advertiser

Swindon Supermarine bounced back to form in the Southern League Premier Division with a goalless draw against high-flying Chesham Wednesday night.

 

But manager Mark Collier’s (pictured) delight at a point and a much-needed clean sheet was tinged with frustration as his side failed to capitalise on a host of second half chances to secure their first win of the season.

 

A 5-1 defeat away at Stourbridge just three days’ previous had left the Marine boss angry at his side’s performance at both ends of the pitch, but Collier saw a vast improvement against The Generals. “It’s funny because we are disappointed as we absolutely battered them in the second half,” he told the Advertiser. “We missed a couple of good chances and their keeper pulled off three or four top class saves. “But I would have settled for a point before kick-off - it’s just frustrating now given how well we played. “We’ve told the players though, that is the benchmark. It is the least we expect from them from now on.”

 

Collier rung the changes at the Webb’s Wood Stadium, bringing in Dave Bampton, Danny Allen, Steve Cook and Sam Morris for Gary Horgan, Matt Robinson, Richard Kear and Luke Hopper. And his revitalised side responded perfectly, frustrating their opponents at the back and creating chance after chance on the front foot.

 

Chesham had a 100 per cent record before last night, but rarely looked like adding another victory to their tally as they failed to trouble home keeper Mark Scott, who was merely a spectator at times. It was after the break when Supermarine really stepped their efforts, however.

 

Cook spurned a free header inside the six-yard box, while Morris missed a one-on-one as they threatened to open the scoring. And defender Leigh Henry thought he had finally broken the deadlock, only to see his header strike the post and Chesham stopper Shane Gore keep out the rebound.

 

Collier said: “Myself and Tom (Jones, assistant manager) had a long chat before the game with the players about what we expected from them. “They have responded and now it is up to them to keep performing to that standard every week.  “We have taken a massive step in the right direction with this result, but we cannot leave it there - we have to push on again.”

 

From a Chesham perspective