Competition

FRIENDLY

Date

Friday 17th July 2009

Supermarine beaten in pre-season opener

By Ned Payne Swindon Advertiser

 

Swindon Supermarine began their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 defeat at home to Blue Square South outfit Bath City on Friday evening.

 

A squad featuring new signings Mark Barnes, Matt Robinson and Tom Bird was selected for the match, with several triallist strikers also being included. Ex-Cardiff man Sam Wade, former Forest Green player Temipope Arojogun and Andy Philpott, who had impressed in training, were selected.

 

But the team was without Chris Thompson, Mark Draycott and Steve Cook, who have signed for Cirencester Town, Didcot Town and Hungerford Town respectively this summer.

 

Following a goal-less first half, City’s Jack Allward gave the visitors the lead when he fired home minutes into the second period. The match was settled when Leigh Henry turned into his own net mid-way through the second half.

 

Supermarine boss Mark Collier was not too concerned about the result afterwards, saying: “It’s about our players getting to know each other, we’ve got three or four (new faces) in there. “Obviously the second half was a little bit disjointed when we’ve got players on we‘re not too sure about. “But it was a very worthwhile exercise and it served its purpose.”

 

Two Marine players who did not take part were midfielder Justyn McKay and left-back Danny Allen. McKay had an operation to reconstruct his ankle over the summer and is believed to be a month away from first team action. Allen missed out with a sore back but will be fit to take part in Marine’s next friendly, away to Wantage Town on Friday (kick-off 6.30pm).