Yan is the man against Supermarine

By Anthony Marshall » Swindon Advertiser

 

Yan Klukowski gave watching boss Danny Wilson food for thought with a second half double to help Town to a 3-2 win over local rivals Supermarine last night. The triallist scored twice in as many minutes to add to Jon-Paul McGovern’s wonder strike as Swindon opened up a three-goal lead, but Marine gave the scoreline some respectability late on through Ash Edenborough and Alan Griffin.

 

Town coach Paul Bodin, who took charge of the team for the night, was pleased with his side’s workout and Klukowski’s contribution in a couple of different roles. “From centre-midfield we put him up front on the gaffer’s instruction and Yan came alive up there,” said Bodin. “He’s got good feet, good balance and he worked his socks off. “For 70 minutes it was very good and the boys played really well. It was disappointing to concede a couple at the end but we had changed things around a bit and that’s often what happens.”

 

As the rain lashed down at Hunts Copse, Mark Barnes created the hosts’ first real chance on 20 minutes when he glanced Kyle Lapham’s centre wide. In the 24th minute Town striker Lloyd Macklin forced Matt Bulman into action, chesting down a sloppy clearance on the edge of the box before curling the ball goalwards – but Marine’s keeper was equal to it with a fine full-length stop. However, less than 60 seconds later Bulman was powerless to stop Town breaking the deadlock in spectacular fashion. Callum Kennedy’s corner was only half cleared and McGovern lashed in an unstoppable half-volley from fully 30 yards.

 

Swindon doubled their advantage in the 54th minute when Mark Marshall cut out a crossfield pass on the right. The wide man then exchanged passes with Klukowski before playing the trialist back in for a simple side-foot finish from close range. And two minutes later Klukowski made it three, rounding a handful of challenges before slotting home into the bottom corner.

 

Supermarine hit back on 71 minutes as substitute Edenborough beat the offside trap to a lofted pass, challenged Town keeper Mark Scott’s clearance and then tapped into the empty net. And the home side closed the gap even further in the 78th minute when Alan Griffin nodded in at the far post following good work from Edenborough and Joe Harris. Griffin almost equalised at the death with a thumping half-volley, but Swindon stood firm to take the local bragging rights.

 

Marine boss Mark Collier said: “We were very competitive, especially in the first half, and I was very pleased with the way we passed the ball. “It was a good fitness exercise and if we perform like that for periods of the season then we won’t be far short of being at the right end of the table.”