British Gas Business Football League

Saturday 06.12.2008

Collier defiant as Marine run goes on and on

By Anthony Marshall » Swindon Advertiser

Collier’s side briefly topped the division earlier in the season and have been around the top five for the majority of the campaign, but as one of the smallest clubs in the league many have been predicting an end to their fantastic form. However, the wins keep on coming thick and fast, and Supermarine’s boss says everyone involved at Hunts Copse is full of belief in keeping the run going.

“People outside the club have been waiting all season for the bubble to burst and to see us stop picking up results every week and start slipping down the table,” said Collier. “But we’re a tight dressing room and there’s no way that anyone inside is thinking that. “Yes, we’re having a fantastic season, but we’re not prepared to say that we will finish in the top three or four because that would be naive at this stage when there’s still a lot of football to be played.

“But we’re halfway through the season, second in the table and averaging two points a game. “So maybe just right now the bubble is getting a bit bigger.” Marine made a bright start to proceedings, but it was the hosts who made the breakthrough on 19 minutes, when Mark Danks fired home from the penalty spot. However, it was all square five minutes later as Griffin raced clear of the Halesowen defence to drill the ball home from a tight angle, and within minutes Supermarine had edged in front - Cook heading home after a long throw had found him inside the box.

Halesowen keeper Nick Bussey was shown a straight red card in the 62nd minute for hauling down Ashley Edenborough inside the box, and with former Tottenham midfielder Darren Caskey taking over in goal, Cook followed up his own missed spot kick to ram home the rebound. Griffin made it 4-1 in the 81st minute before Danks scored his second penalty of the game with a minute remaining for the home side.

The result sees the pair switch places, with Marine jumping into second spot, and Collier praised his side’s attitude in come from their early setback to take all three points. “It was a very good win and we played very well,” he said. “We started quite brightly but conceded first and the lads showed fantastic character to come back from that. It would have been easy to go into our shells, especially with a crowd of about 500 and against a very good team. “But we played particularly well, especially in the second half, and created numerous chances. We were keen to silence their supporters, and we did that. “We have now scored four goals up there for the second season running - last year we drew so it was great to get a win. And there’s not many teams who will manage that.”