New 'Field manager gets a grim start (From Gazette Series)

New 'Field manager gets a grim start

Swindon Supermarine 3 Mangotsfield United 2

NEW manager Martyn Grimshaw could only sit back and watch in dismay as his United side threw away a two-goal lead to fall into the bottom five of the Dr Martens Western Division.

Although Grimshaw's new player-coach David Seal picked the team for Saturday's game, the former Tiverton Town man was on hand to see his team capitulate after an excellent start to the match.

Indeed, United were winning 2-0 at half-time, but a disastrous second half showing saw defensive errors hit the team hard.

Young striker Jack Pitcher gave the visitors a 40th minute lead when he chased onto a long ball to expertly beat keeper Tom King. Pitcher added a brilliant second on the stroke of half-time as United looked to give Grimshaw the perfect start to his managerial reign.

However, a terrible second period lay ahead as the Wiltshire side turned on the style to storm back into the game. Just five minutes of the second half had elapsed when Dave Toomey scored from a Justin Miller free-kick with the Mangotsfield backline in real sixes and sevens. Barrie Matthews then equalised on the hour as Supermarine tore into their opponents.

Then, just ten minutes later, Toomey got his second and Supermarine's third from the penalty spot to compound United's day, and leave Grimshaw with a great deal to contemplate as he braces himself for the task of lifting the team up the table.