FA VASE

2^nd Qual. Round

ADVANCE UNITED !!!!

Marlow United – 4 Buckingham Athletic - 0

Marlow United cruised into the first round proper of the FA Vase with a comfortable 4-0 win over Buckingham Athletic at Wilks Park.

In sharp contrast to recent games it was the home team who began the game in dominant fashion, attacking their opponents from the off.

Most of the early danger came down the right with the speedy Cuva, Sepede and Filmore involved in the action in the first minute.

It was Sepede who set up the first chance of the game on 3 minutes, laying the ball into the feet of fellow striker Davis who’s shot was blocked.

Sepede then delayed his own attempt on goal when put through and shortly after Ollie Flint combined with Cuva and Sepede only for the forward to overhit his cross.

Full back Mark Sciaraffa then joined in the fun his cross from the left being cleared to Davis who failed to control the ball when well placed.

Sciaraffa continued in his attacking mode, this time his cleared cross being volleyed over by the advancing Filmore who was then booked a minute later for verbal abuse.

At this point little had been seen of Buckingham as an attacking force as they failed to get to grips with Filmore and Buchanan who were bossing the midfield.

Marlow continued to dominate proceedings and on 19 minutes Davis, Sepede and Cuva combined to gain a corner on the right, the ball eventually ended in keeper Johnstone’s grasp after Matt Flint had missed the cross and Sciaraffa headed the ball goalward.

That only delayed the inevitable and sure enough United took the lead 3 minutes later.

A through ball from Ollie Flint found Sepede in the area. He laid the ball back to Davis who picked his spot from 10 yards, notching his seventh goal of the season in the process.

From the restart Athletic launched their first serious attack on the Marlow goal, Sciaraffa blocking a cross from the right with Mark O’Dell crossing the loose ball over the bar.

Sciaraffa then played Sepede into the area the ball eventually arriving at the feet of Buchanan who’s shot was saved.

Cuva embarked on a run, leaving three defenders in his wake with his shot being deflected for a corner.

In a rare attack Buckingham gained a free kick on the edge of the area only for Norman and Mark O’Dell to waste the opportunity. Shortly after a cross from Hammond was blocked by Sciaraffa before United doubled their lead on 35 minutes.

A superbly flighted free kick from Sciarrafa forced Dave O’Dell into knocking the ball back across the face of the goal where Ollie Flint lashed it into the net from 2 yards.

Holman and Mark O’Dell both tested Pollard in the home goal before Marlow scored their third goal on 41 minutes. Following a five-man move that man Sciaraffa crossed the ball for Buchanan to score from six yards, a goal that virtually ended the game as a contest.

Half Time 3-0

United were soon on the attack as the second half began, Cuva shooting over after Buchanan set him free.  Sepede and Sciaraffa combined to allow Davis to shoot wide before Ramsey replaced a tiring Filmore with Davis slotting into a midfield role.

Norman had a shot blocked as Buckingham endeavoured to get them selves back into the game.

On 61 minutes Hammond thundered a shot onto the underside of the Marlow crossbar with O’Callaghan volleying the loose ball over the bar.

A free kick from Wiffin on the right was tipped away by Pollard as Athletic enjoyed probably their best spell of the game.

As it was United weathered the pressure with Heywood directing a Sepede corner into Johnstone’s hands and Lanaway crossing for Sepede to head wide before being replaced by Gabb on 66 minutes.

Holman then fired the ball at Pollard as Athletic kept plugging away only for United to put the result beyond their opponents.

Heywood won a challenge in midfield and the ball was played forward to Ramsey. The Marlow forward rounded a defender and fired the ball past Johnstone for United’s fourth, the goal being timed on 69 minutes.

Soon after Crawford replaced Heywood who received an injury after a strong challenge.

The game was petering out to it’s eventual conclusion with Ramsey receiving a caution for querying a referee’s decision, Mark O’Dell and Simons both testing Pollard before Buckingham’s Chart receiving an unnecessary red card for abuse as frustration took it’s toll.

United can now look forward to the draw as they enter the first round proper for the first time in their short history.

After the game manager Kevin Carvell said “That was a comfortable win for us, it would be nice to receive a home draw and embark on a run in the cup”

1)     M Pollard      7  Confident display

2)     O Flint           7 Improves with each game

3)     M Sciaraffa  8  Excellent performance

4)     M Flint           7 100% effort

5)     T Heywood   7 Reliable as ever

6)     B Filmore      7  reaching his peak

7)     D Buchanan  6  showed how he was missed

8)     V Cuva          6  always a danger

9)     A Lanaway   6  good going forward

10) R Davis         7  Energetic display

11) R Sepede     7  Always dangerous

Subs

J Ramsey    7  Will soon be challenging for starting place

S Gabb        6  Slotted in well

R Crawford  6  Little time to make impact

       MOM

MARCO SCIARAFFA