A BRIGHT start couldn’t be built on by Swindon Supermarine on Saturday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of promotion hopefuls Poole Town.

Harry Williams and George Downing both went close to scoring in the opening five minutes, but the Dolphins cranked up the game’s intensity shortly afterwards to open up a two-goal lead.

Marvin Brooks struck Poole’s first with 13 minutes on the clock before Will Spetch added another just only five minutes later.

The Dorset club generally dictated terms from there, with Marine creating only a handful of chances – none of which were taken.

Marine chief Lee Spalding insists there are positives to take from the game, though, with his players again asked to turn things around quickly ahead of Tuesday night’s Wiltshire Premier Shield tie against Chippenham.

He added: “We started brightly, and had a great opportunity to score but didn’t take our chance.

“For the remainder of the first half, it was a case of backs to the wall. Credit to Poole, they were very good and played some brilliant football.

“They made the most of a very good pitch and moved us around to score two very good goals. Poole were the better side in the first half by a long way.

“We dug in during the second half, and created three or four good chances – but we didn’t take any, which was a shame.

“If we pegged a goal back, we probably could’ve poached a draw. It was another game against a very good side that are pushing for promotion.

“It’s disappointing to lose, but there are some positives to take from it.”

Spalding spoke highly of Poole after the final whistle, and seemingly wouldn’t be surprised if the club finds itself back in National League South next season.

Defeat hasn’t dropped Marine down the Southern League Premier Division table, though they are now at the mercy of chasing teams Taunton and Poole – who can leapfrog Marine should games in hand be won.

Spalding added: “The first half-an-hour, Poole were probably one of the best sides we’ve played.

“They asked us a lot of defensive questions which we didn’t have the answers to in the first half. For 30 minutes, we weren’t good enough.

“They exploited our weaknesses well and for that half-hour period we just weren’t at the races, which is disappointing.”