SPORT ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE

SUPPLEMENTARY CUP

QUARTER FINAL

 UNITED CRASH AMIDST CONTROVERSY

ARDLEY UNITED – 4 MARLOW UNITED - 2

Marlow crashed out of the supplementary cup at the quarter final stage having keeper Matt Pollard sent of yet again for abuse of match officials and having to play 60 minutes with ten men.

This was going to be a tough match for the Buckinghamshire team even with a full complement against a physically powerful Ardley team who know exactly how to extract the best from their sloping pitch.

Drafted back into the team were keeper Pollard, Heywood, James Flint, Sciaraffa and making his first start for over two seasons Chris Rowley as manager Kevin Carvell fielded a strong looking combination.

The home team played down the slope in the first half and from the outset their game plan was plain for all to see.

Get the ball into the opposing box as early as possible from anywhere on the pitch.

Pretty it isn’t even if it is effective.

As it was United were the first to attack with James Flint being caught offside after 30 seconds.

That only delayed the opening goal. A minute later a challenge from Rowley on the half way line saw the ball break to James Flint who promptly laid it back to Callum Coull. The Midfielder seeing keeper Dixon off his line lifted the ball over the stranded custodian and into the net for a one-goal lead.

That goal signalled the bombardment of the United area as Ardley set about reversing the deficit.

Ball after ball was winged into the United area from all angles and all heights.

It was footballs version of the blitz with United unable to stem the flow coming down the slope.

Ardley gained their first corner on 5 minutes, which was cleared. Two minutes later Martin volleyed over when well placed as the pressure continued.

Rowley was twice warned for robust tackles as Marlow United attempted to stem the flow of long balls.

In between those warnings Ardley gained their second corner, Gordon’s kick being cleared before a Smith exocet (one of many) found Chris Hill, his shot flying over from ten yards.

Marlow looked dangerous on the break with James Flint and Callum Coull both troubling a cumbersome Ardley central defence.

A Rowley free kick bought Dixon into action on 18 minutes followed by Heywood feeding James Flint who shot wide.

The same player then fired over on 20 minutes as United relieved some of the pressure.

The home team were denied a penalty one minute later as Pollard flattened Hill as he caught the ball leaving the Ardley forward requiring treatment.

United almost doubled their lead 4 minutes later as a Coull cross found Ollie Flint unmarked on the right of the six yard box., his effort being cleared for a corner as it was about to cross the line.

Coull then headed the corner from the left over the bar.

As the half hour approached United again almost doubled their lead with Coull finding Filmore, his cross again finding Ollie Flint unmarked, this time his shot lacking the power to trouble Dixon.

Marlow soon began to regret those missed chances as when Ardley next attacked the ball was played left and with the defence appealing for offside the ball was played into Hill who scored from close range.

Amongst much heated discussion Pollard was heard to accuse an official of cheating and off he went for an early bath with Sciaraffa also receiving a yellow.

Mat Flint donned the keeper’s jersey only to have to pick the ball out of the net on 34 minutes, being beaten by Gordon’s lofted effort.

Hill was twice through on goal only to waste the opportunities as Ardley threatened to increase their lead.

As it was Marlow hit back on 44 minutes with a magnificent goal from the influential Ollie Flint.

Receiving a pass from Chris Rowley he promptly volleyed the ball over Dixon from 25 yards to bring the away team level.

If only United could have held out till the break.

Unfortunately for them they couldn’t and it was yet another long ball into the area that was headed down for Mason to stab over the line in injury time.

United trooped off at half time for their cuppa and maybe a few headache pills!

 HT 2-3

 Matt Flint was soon in action as Ardley attempted to put the game out of the visitors reach, theatrically diving to his left to catch a close range effort.

The sub keeper was again in action collecting a high through ball before Middleton rescued the away team clearing under pressure from Richmond.

Ardley began to use their full backs in a more attacking roll in this half, taking advantage of their numerical advantage.

On the break James and Ollie Flint along with Coull looked capable of stretching the Ardley defence and both Heywood and Crawford were outstanding in the centre of the defence.

The two Flints combined on the break after 58 minutes with a James cross being cleared from Ollie three minutes later.

Two minutes later a Rowley free kick from the right was cleared as Marlow attempted to get back on level terms.

Then on 68 minutes the home team sealed the win with the 4^th goal although yet again it was not without some controversy

Keeper Matt Flint came to meet a through ball. Realising he may step outside the area he attempted to head the ball away only to be beaten to the ball by Feaver who’s raised foot grazed the keepers forehead in winning the challenge before scoring.

To the amazement of the whole of the United contingent the referee allowed the goal to stand.

Shortly after Ollie Flint was booked as United’s frustration began to boil over.

Doug Buchanan replaced a tiring Rowley and within minutes James Flint and Callum Coull went off for Sepede and Cuva as manager Carvell opted for caution with Saturdays important league fixture looming.

Filmore and Matt Flint found themselves in the referees book as the game drew to its conclusion, the only real action of note occurring at the death as Sepede released Cuva who shot wide as he advanced into the Ardley area.

After the game manager Kevin Carvell said, “ With eleven players on the pitch tonight we could have won the game. Our keeper let the team down and we lost. No arguments with the officials they had no other option. It will not happen again. We look forward to the return match next season in the league, on the evidence of tonight we have nothing to fear”

Team

M Pollard, B Filmore, R Crawford, T Heywood, M Sciaraffa, C Rowley, R Middleton, M Flint, O Flint, C Coull, J Flint.

Subs D Buchanan, R Sepede, V Cuva

Scores

M Pollard  4

B Filmore  7

M Sciaraffa  7

R Crawford  8

T Heywood  8

C Rowley  7

R Middleton 7

M Flint 7

O Flint 8

C Coull 7

J Flint 7

Subs

D Buchanan 7

R Sepede  6

V Cuva  6

MOM

O Flint