Saturday, October 12 . Webbswood Stadium . 3pm
Swindon Supermarine v Tiverton Town
Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South
WHEREAS our last two matches have ended in disappointment, the performances certainly have not been lacking: both games could have easily seen home fans celebrating, as opposed to commiserating with each other.
That said, there is no time to settle for second best and it is fundamental that we find the winning formula once again.
It was against stronger opponents that we suffered those defeats, but there are no easy games at this level and Supermarine will similarly present us with a difficult proposition as they, too, look for points to steer themselves away from the early relegation picture.
The two men in charge on Saturday both replaced early managerial casualties last term and pulled their respective teams away from dangerous waters. Stuart Fleetwood was quickly installed by the Wiltshire side after they had plummeted towards the trap door with a number of dispiriting outcomes in the early season gloom that was about to descend on the Ian Moorcroft Stadium.
Fleetwood and, as all Yellows’ fans know, Leigh Robinson transformed their team’s season, but find themselves similarly under pressure at the beginning of this one. If we are not to be looking over our shoulders throughout the campaign, we will have to consistently put results together. This recipe is the same for both clubs, who are separated only by goal difference and one place in the Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South table by virtue of the Swindon side’s superior goal difference.
Supermarine also fell at the first hurdle in the FA Trophy, losing at a resurgent Winchester 5-2. Another parallel is a convincing defeat to Merthyr, the hosts losing 5-1 whilst at home and our 6-0 opening day loss in Wales.
The Yellows look likely to be hampered by injury, with Matt Britton and Mike Baker unable to play a part last Saturday and Dylan Jones pulling up early against Dorchester.
Others are nursing knocks and that has prompted the manager to bolster his squad with the capture of loanee central midfielder Josh Bernard from Plymouth Argyle. He has been working hard to try and secure others before the coach leaves for Wiltshire.
Supermarine are not without talented performers and have ex Bath and Taunton striker Dave Sims-Burgess leading the line. The enigmatic Michael Fernandez, a skilful and cultured footballer at this level, who arrived at the Webbswood towards the tail end of last season, was once on pro terms at Colchester United and has starred for the likes of Farnborough and Hayes & Yeading in this division.
Liam Angel and ex Yellow Olly Mehew were both part of the Merthyr squad that narrowly missed out on the play-offs last term, and former long-serving Weston-super-Mare goalkeeping favourite Luke Pernell gives them plenty of pedigree between the sticks. As does silky midfielder and club stalwart Jamie Edge, who was with Arsenal and West Brom in his early playing days.
The gifted Harry Williams, whose 34 league goals in 34 league games for the Swindon side made him hot property in Southern League Premier South in the 2022-23 campaign, is an attacking midfielder who is also capable of playing further forward, as that stellar season testifies.
With players missing and necessary changes being made to line-up, it gave others an opportunity to step up, as Jay Murray did, impressing at right-back last weekend.
The return of Tor Swann off the bench was also a boost and Theo Jeremy is an emerging talent. Bristol City loanee Kai Churchley has looked very accomplished in playing just behind Joe Parker and other understandings are beginning to be built. Jeff Forkuo is another to have impressed after a spell out of the starting line-up.
The stakes are high come kick off, as a win for either side will see them remain out of the bottom four. This is the first of two games on the road and Leigh Robinson’s charges will be determined to put some more points on the board on their travels.
If we continue to reach the standards we have in recent games, then the fortune has to start reversing.
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