Sport Italia Hellenic League

Division One East

 UNITED IN PHOTO FINISH AT ASCOT

ASCOT UNITED - 0 MARLOW UNITED - 1

Marlow United sneaked a 1-0 at Ascot United to spoil the home team’s debut in the Hellenic league.

Returning to old stamping grounds United began brightly kicking up the slope on a very wet night and they were the first to threaten when a free kick on the right was met by the head of Heywood.

Ascot were keen to impress in their first game at this level and they soon began to impose their passing game on the United team.

Even so it was Marlow who posed the greater goal threat. Lanaway combined with Sepede to win a corner. Heywood was first to the kick and as the ball broke to Wiltshire he went down under a heavy challenge, the referee waiving away the penalty appeals.

Again it was United who threatened to open the scoring with Heywood freeing Sepede who rounded the defender only for his cross to evade the Marlow forwards.

Then on 17 minutes the away team broke the deadlock. Davis received the ball on the left edge of Ascot’s area. As he strode forward he was fouled but managed to fire the ball into the far corner. To his and Marlow’s dismay the referee awarded the free quick. Their disappointment was short lived as Gary Wiltshire drilled the ball past the wall and under the despairing Hallt in the Ascot goal.

1-0  down the home team raised their game, passing the ball quickly and accurately as

Marlow’s midfield struggled to come to terms with the slippery conditions.

For all the possession Ascot had it was through set pieces that they threatened.

Tim Standing who was involved in much of the midfield play having his 20^th minute free kick cleared by Doug Buchanan. Phil Boddy shooting over from the resulting throw in.

Davis and Coull combined at the other end only for the latter to be fouled on the edge of the box. Sciaraffa slamming the kick into the defensive wall for Coull to pick up the rebound skip past three defenders and see his shot blocked.

Minutes later Standing again took a free kick, which skidded through the massed ranks with Walden saving on the line.

Now Ascot piled on the pressure, Boddy crossing from the left for Heywood to clear for a corner. Walden was in action again clearing the kick from under the crossbar whilst under pressure.

Minutes later a ball played in from the Ascot right found Southee unmarked with his back to goal but his attempted overhead kick failed to make contact.

Another miss from Standing was followed by the home teams closest effort as Southee’s shot from the left of the area beat Walden and flew of the crossbar.

Half Time 0-1

The pattern of the game changed little in the second period with the home team again having the majority of the possession but finding the United rearguard with Wiltshire

and  keeper Walden in superb form difficult to penetrate. The latter saving brilliantly at the feet of Southee as the centre forward finally found a way through into the area.

Shortly after Sepede missed a golden opportunity to sow up the game firing wide of the right hand post with only Hallt to beat.

With the rain descending and conditions becoming decidedly gloomy both teams continued to try playing passing football although United had most success with the ball over the top for Sepede to run onto.

James Ramsey replaced Ryan Davis on 66 minutes only to find himself replaced minutes later by Ben Filmore as he went down injured in a tackle.

A long throw by Standing was hit by Garyth Brant bringing Walden into action again.

As the game entered the final stages Southee again saw Walden scrambling the ball away from his shot. Further free kicks around the Marlow area were cleared and as the minutes ticked away McIntyre fired wide as a corner was cleared.

It was not all one-way traffic with Coull pushed up into a forward position and Sepede stretching the Ascot defence who in turn pushed centre half Keough forward in an attempt to snatch the draw.

It was all to be in vain for the Berkshire team as United continued their excellent start to the season. Marlow can now look forward to Fridays home FA Cup tie versus Cove with the added boost that despite making several intentional changes from Saturday's team v Holyport the squad stood up and looks strong and with Ross Middleton, Mattie Glynn, Spencer Giles among others set to return for United's big night this Friday evening.

After the game manager Kevin Carvell Said ” I am happy to pick up 3 points from a difficult match. We did not play particularly well tonight against an Ascot team who will do well in this league. We hope to have a full squad to select from for the Cove match on Friday”

1) Walden                    8   Commanding

2) Lanaway                6  Still finding his feet

3) Sciaraffa                  7  Showed his experience

4) Heywood              7  Tristan was as usual immaculate

5) Wiltshire                  8  Needed all his strength tonight

6) Francis                   6  faded in second half

7) Buchanan             7  Solid performance

8)  Coull                      7   Callum  was always a threat gong forward

9)  Pedley                     7  Involved for 90 minutes

10)  Davis                  7   again looked dangerous

11)   Sepede                          7 constant threat

 MOM

 Andrew Walden