SPORT ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE EAST

UNITED STEAL THE POINTS

Binfield - 2 Marlow United - 3

Marlow United cemented their second place in the league with a fortunate win against Binfield FC at Stubbs lane.

Coming after their tremendous win over champions Chalfont and with several changes in the starting eleven it was always likely that the away team would struggle against a physically powerful Binfield side and so it proved.

The home team began the first half with the wind and squalling rain at their backs and United’s Cooper was soon in the action pushing the dangerous Gary Sargeant’s shot away for a corner in the second minute.

United hit back with a corner of their own before James Flint won the ball on the left, his cross being met by brother Ollie whose volley flew over the bar.

A good build up on the left resulted in a Ross Middleton shot being saved with his feet by Grace in the home goal as United looked threatening in the early stages.

On 15 minutes the home bench were up in anger as a penalty appeal was turned down with James Flint appearing to be flattened as he challenged for the ball at the near post.

Back came the home team with Sargeant hitting the ball wide from a right wing cross.

That only delayed the opening goal as on 21 minutes a Calvert cross-found Wing on the left. He skipped past his marker and fired the ball over the despairing Cooper from 20 yards and into the far corner of the net.

A through ball almost caught out the United back four with the referee awarding a foul against Adam North as the defence struggled to deal with the Binfield attack.

Overall the game was rather a scrappy affair with neither side producing much in the way of constructive football.

The home team were proving the more determined of the two teams, winning most of the 50/50 challenges as the Marlow midfield seemed unable to impose itself on the proceedings.

Marlow were indebted to the central defensive pairing of Wiltshire and North who stood firm against the onslaught, with Flint and Brown looking lively up front with their constant foraging and harrying of the Binfield back four.

It was the never say die attitude of the front two which saw United draw level in the 32^nd minute.

James Flint embarked on a run down the right; his cross causing panic in the Binfield back four.

Withers appeared to have plenty of time to clear the cross but he steered the ball back toward keeper Grace. The keepers attempted clearance rebounded off the advancing Lewis Brown and into the net for the equalising goal.

It was the home team who were appealing for a penalty 5 minutes later when a late challenge caught an advancing forward as the ball was crossed from the right in what was the last meaningful action of the first half.

 HT 1-1

The second half began in much the same vein with Binfield’s Whitty firing over from a free kick in the first minute.

United’s defence was all at sea two minutes later as they failed on numerous occasions to clear the ball which eventually arrived at the feet of Tony Calvert who pulled the chance wide.

A Wiltshire header forced a corner on the right for Marlow and from Ollie Flints cross Callum Coull’s header found the post as Marlow threatened to retake the lead.

The game was more open now and next it was Binfield who saw an opportunity saved by Cooper who pushed an effort from Wing over the bar.

United took the lead for the second time when a through ball from Ollie Flint found brother James who evaded the offside trap before placing the ball past Grace from 15 yards, goal timed on 56 minutes.

Doug Buchanan replaced Ross Middleton as United attempted to gain control of the middle of the park and the substitute found himself with an early opportunity after collecting a Coull cross only to mis-hit his shot from 8 yards.

A Tallentine free kick followed with Millward firing wide as Binfield pressed for the equaliser.

That eventually arrived on 67 minutes as a quick free kick caught out the Marlow defence with the ball arriving at the feet of Wing. His quick shot was parried by Cooper only for Sargeant to follow up by knocking the ball past the stranded keeper and into the net.

The home team looked the more likely winners at this stage and Cooper was twice in action saving from the dangerous Wing.

The game appeared to be heading for a draw when United were awarded a free kick on the left in the 88^th minute.

Full back ‘Scruff’ Sciaraffa launched the ball high into the Binfield area were the unfortunate Grace, under pressure it must be added, allowed the ball through his hands and into the back of the net for a fortunate winner.

The home side were not able to threaten again before the referee blew for full time on exactly 90 minutes.

Manager Kevin Carvell was gracious in victory “To be honest we stole the three points today. The least Binfield deserved was a point but that’s football”

Team. A Cooper, B Filmore, A North, G Wiltshire, M Sciaraffa, C Coull, R Middleton, C Rowley, O Flint, L Brown, J Flint.  Subs, D Buchanan, R Crawford, R Sepede.

Scores

A Cooper  7

B Filmore  5

A North  7

G Wiltshire  8

C Coull  7

C Rowley  6

R Middleton  6

O Flint  6

J Flint  7

L Brown  7

Subs

D Buchanan  6

R Crawford  6

R Sepede  6

MOM

 G WILTSHIRE