SWINDON Supermarine manager Lee Spalding had few complaints after his side went down 3-1 at Chesham United in Southern League Premier Division South on Saturday, believing they lacked the quality to get anything from the game.

Conditions had a major influence on the game, with Marine capitalising on them early on when Stuart Fleetwood broke the deadlock with a spectacular strike after only five minutes.

However, Jefferson Louis brought Chesham back level before the break and the hosts dominated the second period, with further goals from Kieran Murphy and Eoin Casey securing them the points.

“The conditions played a factor in the game. It was blowing a gale and it was really difficult,” said Spalding.

“In the first half, we played with the wind and we were hoping to take advantage of that. We started really well and scored a really good goal early on, but we didn’t really kick on from there.

“We played some good football for 20 minutes or so and showed some really promising signs, but Chesham equalised towards the end of the first half.

“Then in the second half, they completely bossed the game. They used the conditions to their advantage really well and scored from two corners.

“Overall, there are no complaints from us as we weren’t good enough in the second half.

“Chesham made it very difficult for us to even get out of our half. It wasn’t until the last 20 minutes that we showed any signs of getting back into the game, which is disappointing.”

Marine had been hunting a third league win on the spin, which left Spalding frustrated that his side were unable to re-produce the same level of performance that secured them a 2-1 victory at home to Gosport Borough last time out.

“Last weekend we showed signs that we could get the ball down and play, but this weekend I don’t think we were brave enough,” said Spalding.

“It wasn’t easy, but we needed to show that bit of character and I don’t think we did that. The first half was OK, but in the second half, we didn’t show enough desire or enough quality.”

Marine return to action on Tuesday night when they host Melksham Town in the Wiltshire Senior Cup quarter-finals.

  • HIGHWORTH Town were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Moneyfields in Southern League Division One South.

Chris Taylor gave the Worthians an early lead but Stephen Hutchings restored parity for Moneyfields in the opening exchanges of the second half.