SPORT
ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE
DIVISION
ONE EAST
ONE
STEP CLOSER
Marlow
United – 0 Ascot United - 0
United
moved one point nearer the promised land of the Premier Division with a hard
fought draw against an impressive Ascot team at Wilks Park.
The
visitors were quickly into their stride Steve Curtis’s cross evading everyone
as it skidded across the Marlow six-yard box on 5 minutes.
Marlow hit back
through Bowler, his through ball just evading Rino Sepede and running through to
keeper Lyons.
Bowler
again fed a ball through the Ascot defence, this time James Flint was unable to
collect.
Ascot
were playing the better football at this stage, repeatedly beating their
opponents to the ball and dominating much of the play.
The
home team were indebted to their defence who restricted Ascot to a minimum of
chances, Matt Flint and Tristan Heywood being prominent.
Apart
from corners and crosses the away team never tested Cooper in the first 45
minutes and the Marlow custodian confidently dealt with those that came his way.
It
took until the 33rd minute for either side to fire in shot of any
danger and when it came it was the home team who delivered it through Doug
Buchanan who collected a loose ball and finished of a surging run with a shot
going wide of the left post.
Marlow
were thankful to Rob Crawford who cleared a dangerous ball from the six-yard box
before Ascot created their best chance of the half with Standings free kick
finding the head of Andy Gavin who watched his header drift wide of the far
post.
Back
came Marlow with Sepede and Bowler setting up Buchanan, the Marlow man appearing
to be pushed in the back in the area.
On
40 minutes the home team almost snatched the lead, gaining a corner on the right
Rowley’s near post kick was met superbly with his head by James Flint only for
Lyons to make a point blank save pushing the ball onto the post and away from
the goal.
Adam
North was forced into a hurried clearance as an Ascot throw arrived in the
six-yard box three minutes later, the half finishing with an Ascot corner being
cleared by Heywood.
HT
0 – 0
Ascot
continued to put Marlow’s defence under the spotlight as they pressed at the
beginning of the second period.
Curtis
was involved in much of the attacking play twice firing in speculative shots.
Marlow
subbed Sepede with Lewis Brown in an effort to liven up the front line and the
substitute soon made his presence felt, his pace unsettling the Ascot back four.
Ascot
almost caught out Marlow on the break with McIntyre firing in a low shot which
bought out an excellent save from Cooper.
Curtis
fired in another effort after North cleared a cross before Cooper was again
called into action saving a close range header.
Ascot
bought on Finch for Gavin on 62 minutes the tall forward providing Marlow’s
defenders a further test, one that they were up to.
Brown
and Flint were beginning to test the Ascot defence with there constant harrying
and pace.
Bowler
and Brown combined to set up Buchanan, his header being easily dealt with by the
impressive Lyons.
Wiltshire
replaced Rowley on 67 minutes the burley Marlow man adding some bite in the
midfield as the home team began to look the more dangerous team.
Brown
and Flint set up Middleton who shot wide before Heywood released Brown who shot
only to be signalled off side.
Heywood
was in action at the other end on 77 minutes his last ditch tackle saving the
home team.
A
Marlow corner was headed on but Flint was unable to reach the ball in the six
yard box and the same player was penalised as he attempted to burst into the
area on 79 minutes.
Curtis
tested Cooper as a mix up in midfield allowed him the space to shoot.
The
best chance of the half arrived in the 88th minute as a Wiltshire
header sent Brown clear of the Ascot defence. As he bore down on goal he was
pulled back by Sam Dennison on the edge of the area. The foul resulted in a red
card for the Ascot player and Bowler blasted the free kick into the defensive
wall and the subsequent rebound over the bar in what was the last meaningful
action of the game.
Manager
Kevin Carvell said after the game “We are pleased with a point gained
against a very good Ascot team. It leaves us requiring six more from four games
to ensure promotion, a task which we should be up to”
A
Cooper, M Flint, R Crawford, T Heywood, A North, J Bowler, D Buchanan, C Rowley,
R Middleton, J Flint, R Sepede. Subs
L Brown, G Wiltshire.
A Cooper 8
M Flint 7
R Crawford 7
T Heywood 7
A North 6
J Bowler 7
D Buchanan 7
C Rowley 6
R Middleton 7
J Flint 7
R Sepede 6
Subs
L Brown 7
G Wiltshire 7
MOM
A COOPER