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Match Report Bracknell Town 2 Swindon Supermarine 4 FA Trophy 1st Round Qualifying Saturday 18.10.2008 By Gareth Moorhouse (Swindon Advertiser)
Griffin at the double for Marine by Supermarine refused to make mountains out of molehills on Saturday as they comfortably dispatched Bracknell Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy. On a pitch Marine boss Mark Collier labelled as “shocking,” the visitors strolled to a 4-2 success thanks largely to Alan Griffin’s brace. The summer signing from Mangotsfield United struck in each half to pave the way for another impressive away victory, as Marine stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches.
After watching his side booked their place in today’s second qualifying round draw, Collier praised the players for a “thoroughly professional performance”. He said: “We knew what to expect from Bracknell before we arrived. They are always very strong and competitive. “We needed to go in their SAS-style, get the job done, and get out. “When we got there the pitch was in an absolutely shocking state. It was like being in Beirut. “From that point on we knew it was going to be a mental battle more than anything else. “We like to win in style, but that’s not always possible. It was a very professional performance. “The main objective was to qualify for the next round, but to score four goals was a bonus.”
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Ashley Edenborough gave the visitors a deserved 15th-minute lead when he raced onto Griffin’s weighted through-ball and hammered home the opener from 15 yards. Bracknell were back on level terms soon after, Chris Geary taking advantage of a mistake from Kyle Lapham before slotting past the onrushing Matt Bulman. Marine restored their advantage after 40 minutes with a neatly worked corner routine. Gary Horgan’s flag kick was flicked on at the near post by Danny Allen, and Griffin was on hand to side foot home from six yards.
Mark Draycott glanced home a third for Marine early in the second half, after Nick Stanley had carved open the Bracknell defence with a mesmerising 60-yard dribble. Marine substitute Joe Harris was dismissed for using foul and abusive language towards a spectator, but the visitors continued to dominate despite their numerical disadvantage.
And Griffin made the game safe five minutes from time, completing his brace in almost identical fashion to his first goal. This time it was Chris Taylor who swung in the corner kick, and Chris Thompson flicked on for Griffin to make it 4-1. Ryan McIntosh pulled a goal back for the Robins in stoppage time, but it was little more than a consolation as Supermarine cruised through. “It’s another win and it breeds even more confidence around the dressing room,” said Collier afterwards. “There’s lads not getting a game at the moment because we’ve been going so well, but that is a nice problem for me to have. “Let’s try and keep this momentum going against Cambridge City now on Saturday
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From a Robins perspective...
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