Joe Tumelty stars off the bench to keep Swindon Supermarine's play-off hopes alive

Swindon Supermarine were back in action having missed the weekend due to a waterlogged pitch with a game at the Webbswood against mid table Plymouth Parkway. Having lost to the visitors away in January to a contentious penalty a sense of revenge was in the air as Swindon looked to keep up a playoff push.

Manager Lee Spalding made just the one change with new signing Charlie Searle coming in between the sticks for temporary custodian Brad Hooper.

The early pressure came from Parkway with Crago, Garside and Williams stretching the Marine backline. However it was Zack Kotwica who tested the keeper first with Duffey fielding well from a low shot in slippery and wet conditions on 10 minutes.

Marine were slowly coming back into the match after the fast Plymouth start and following a brilliant worked team move started by Harry Williams, linking up well with Kotwica and ending with a Ryan Campbell cross being slammed home along the ground by the league top scorer with 20 minutes on the clock. Williams now has 34 for the season. 

And just minutes later it should have been two when James Harding found some space on the edge of the area only for the ball to smack against the post and out.

But Parkway dominated the rest of the half seeking to gain an equaliser. It was Williams again who was the hero clearing one off the line from Rose on the half hour and late on in the half Searle did well to punch away under pressure with the follow up blasted high and wide.

A good half for Marine but Plymouth were playing some good football and Marine knew they would have to be at their best to come away with the points.

The second half started as the first ended with the visitors piling on the pressure. Early doors the ball ricocheted around the Marine area before drifting wide of the goal. Garside had an effort well fielded by Searle who was gaining in confidence as the match went on.

With more games ahead in a short period of time and perhaps concerned about a lack of possession manager Lee Spalding opted for a double substitution on 55 minutes which turned out to be an inspired one.

Brad Hooper replaced George Dowling in a like for like change but also coming on was Joe Tumelty replacing striker Harry Williams – a brave move to try and gain a foothold in the midfield.

Jamie Edge was the first to see yellow for a trip just after the hour before Parkway netted but only after a clear push on Ty Duffus and the goal was rightfully disallowed. Plymouth continued to have the majority of possession but Marine were now creating good chances on the break with Henry Spalding the architect of many of them.

From one of these with 20 minutes to go, Spalding set away James Harding but his effort was repelled by Duffey. A penalty shout came soon after when Spalding with his tricky feet appeared to be felled in the box but nothing was given.

Plymouth had a golden chance to level on 74 but Garside could only place his header over the top when well placed. Then following a mix up at the back for Parkway, Tumelty seized on a loose back pass, went around the keeper and netted emphatically for a vital second goal and he wasn’t finished there.

Harding was denied one on one again by Duffey but from the corner the ball found its way to the edge of the box where Tumelty brought the ball under control but slamming home a curling effort into the far corner making it three nil and three points!!

Not bad for a player who to this point had only scored once all season. Playmaker Tumelty swapping assists for goals on the day.

Charlie Searle kept his sheet clean with a great late save to deny Cargo – taking a whack in the process but Marine held on thanks to the strong back line of Turl, Duffus, Liddiard and Campbell.

A superb hard working three points to keep the play off chase going as the pressure increases. Disciplined in defence, clinical in attack and some inspired subs showing how strong the squad is. Some tough games ahead but Marine look up for the fight.

Next up Bracknell Town at home on Saturday and then North Leigh away on Bank Holiday Monday