‘Simply unacceptable’

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Monday 30th Jan 2006.

MARK Collier has warned his Supermarine players their places are in jeopardy after slamming Saturday's debacle as unacceptable' and second rate'.

The Marine boss confirmed he has stepped up his search for fresh blood' after a toothless display at Hunts Copse saw them lose ground in the Southern League First Division title chase, with a 2-0 defea to Marlow.

Two first-half goals condemned the hosts to back-to-back home league defeats for the first time since April 2005 and, with other results going against them, saw them drop out of the play-off zone, albeit with games in hand over their rivals.

Collier said: "That was unacceptable all over the pitch. We started poorly, could not pick it up and did not seem to have that desire and passion.

"I have made them aware of the situation and I have told them if I need to bring new players in to replace them then that is exactly what I will do.

"I will have a busy weekend on the phone trying to add to the squad as it looks like we need some freshening up.

"Some of them seem to think we have already cracked it but we have not cracked anything.

"If we carry on like that we will start sliding down the league and I will not accept that and I don't want them to either."

Groundstaff were working from 9am to ensure the match beat the big freeze but, after 90 minutes of a lack-lustre home display, they must have wished they had not have bothered.

Injuries to Jeremy Newton, and Chris Copp and a suspension to influential midfielder Steve Jenkins did not help their cause, but Collier was refusing to look to excuses as his side were made to look second best all over the pitch.

Marlow quickly seized the early initiative, with the lively Adam Dickens seeing two shots well saved by goalkeeper Tom King, while Seb Neptune spurned a glorious chance for the visitors, heading wide from yards out.

For Marine, passes were going astray, tackles were being missed and, with Ryo Matsunaga being sucked deeper into midfield, the tireless Matt Pratley was looking increasingly isolated upfront.

The inevitable breakthrough came on 38 minutes when, after a frantic goalmouth scramble following Sam Shepherd's right wing corner, John Beale poked the visitors ahead.

Four minutes into first-half injury time, Marine's woes worsened as Dickens latched onto John Isaac's flick, beat a flimsy looking offside trap, and slid home to double Marlow's lead.

The hosts huffed and puffed after the break but the quality was still lacking and it was Marlow who still looked the more likely to score.

Collier bravely threw Neil Dix and Lance Lewis on to form a three-pronged attack with Pratley but, despite plenty of pressure, never troubled Ian Mactaggart in the Marlow goal.

Brad Newman was unlucky to see a header crash off the cross-bar for the hosts late on.

"It is important no-one gets too carried away with this defeat," said Collier.

"We were poor but it is the first time we have played like that all season.

"We are still in a good position, with games in hand over our rivals, and with over 50 points to play for we know there is still a long way to go."

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