British Gas Business Football League

Southern League Premier Division

Saturday 21.03.2009

By Ben Payne (Swindon Advertiser)

Point gained for depleted Marine

Supermarine manager Mark Collier declared himself happy with the point his reshuffled side gained following their 0-0 stalemate at Rugby Town. Collier was without four first-team players going into Saturday’s Southern League game and that number increased to five when Leigh Henry was forced off with a tight hamstring.

“With five players out of the starting line-up, the squad was stretched to the absolute maximum,” said the Marine boss. “A couple of players played out of position and to go to Rugby and get a clean sheet was a positive. “As a manager I’m pleased because we showed that application to go to a difficult place and get a result.”

Several Marine men adopted unfamiliar roles on Saturday, including left back Danny Allen, who featured in centre midfield alongside new loan signing Sam Morris. Regular forward Ash Edenborough played right midfield and his strike partner Alan Griffin moved to centre back for a spell in the second half.

Both goalkeepers distinguished themselves over the 90 minutes, with Matt Bulman first in action when he made a flying stop from Matt Gearing. Alan Griffin was denied by home custodian Andrew Stevens before the returning Joe Harris had a shot cleared off the line by Liam Nicell.