Competition

WILTSHIRE PREMIER SHIELD Semi-Final 1st Leg

Date

Wednesday January 27th 2010

Second Half revival for Marine

Marine established a two-goal advantage over Chippenham Town in the first leg of their semi-final tie on Wednesday night.

 

The first half was a non event for the home side with Chippenham looking the more lively in all areas and it wasn't a surprise when striker Shaun Benison hit a brace in the first half for the Bluebirds. Both were excellent finishes and the outlook didn't look to bright for Marine as they went into the break losing 2-0 and it could have been more!

 

After a half time 'char' from the management team the second half saw a complete turnaround for Marine with Nick Stanley coming on for Sean wood and a changed formation of 4-4-2. It wasn't long before Marine starting to find space and room in the Chippenham box and within five minutes of the restart Ashley Edenborough fired home to make in 2-1. Just five minutes later and the score was 2-2 with Sam Morris scoring the goal. It came from excellent work down the right wing involving Kyle Lapham and Steve Cook and when the ball was crossed into the six yard box Luke Hopper was on the end of it and un marked. Hopper should have scored with his point blank header but young Chippenham keeper Jamie Penton smothered the shot and in the following scramble Morris bundled the ball over the line.

 

Just five minutes later and Marine were ahead for the first time in the match when Steve Cook beat the offside trap and calmly placed the ball past keeper Penton and into the right hand corner of the net. The one goal advantage became two after 85 minutes when Sam Morris scored his second goal of the night. Once again Lapham and Cook were involved in the build up and with the ball at Cook's feet Morris made one of his customary runs from midfield and he was slipped in by Cook. Morris still had to beat the advancing keeper and he did so with aplomb as he side footed the ball past him and into the right hand corner of the net.

 

There was still five minutes left and still time for Marine to create a couple of more chances for what may have been a mountain to climb for Chippenham in the second leg if they had converted them, but with just  a two goal deficit they are still in the cup tie when the second leg is played on Tuesday February 16th. The winners will play Swindon Town in the final.