SPORT ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE EAST

Chalfont Wasps - 3 Marlow United - 2

INJURY TIME PENALTY ROBS MARLOW

 A devastated Marlow United trooped of the Bowstridge Playing field having seen their second half fight back from a two goal deficit snatched from their grasp by a disputed injury time penalty decision.

The kick, slotted home by Wasps Robert Charles, maintained the home teams 100% start to the season and ended United’s own three match winning run.

Marlow kicked off playing down the slope and soon found them under pressure from a determined Chalfont. The home team took the lead in the second minute as Kieran Webb embarked on a dangerous run, evading several challenges before being fouled by Wiltshire on the edge of the area.

The free kick was taken quickly catching United unawares, the ball came back off the bar where ex United winger Jon Mason reacted first, firing the ball over the line from the edge of the six yard box.

United’s protests over the positioning of the ball for the kick were waived away by referee Wideson, the first of several contentious decisions on the day.

The goal served to galvanise Chalfont who continued to dominate the early play, Walden in the United goal being called into action, punching away a dangerous cross on 4 minutes as the home teams robust play unsettled Marlow.

On 6 minutes Marlow finally mounted their first serious foray into the opposition half as first Flint then Filmore had crosses cleared.

On 8 minutes captain Mat Flint incurred an injury which would force him to be subbed when Chalfont’s Chadbone slid into the back of the Marlow player with a dangerous tackle. Despite attempting to play on he was replaced by namesake Ollie Flint and the Chalfont winger became the first player in the referee’s notebook.

United were now gaining a foothold in the game with Matt Glynn pulling the strings in midfield, ably supported by Middleton, Buchanan and Filmore.

A through ball found Sepede who raced into the area, finally tumbling over under a challenge as penalty appeals were denied.

Within seconds Middleton was the victim of another rash two footed challenge, this time from Charles who went into the referee’s book, the Marlow man requiring several minutes attention from Physio Zoe Gasper.

Chadbone should have put the home team further ahead when he fired wide of the far post after finding himself clear on the left.

Now Marlow were in the ascendancy, Glynn fired wide from a corner gained from Walden’s huge clearance, a further Glynn free kick was fired across the face of the goal by Buchanan. From the resultant corner Sepede’s shot missed the target. Filmore then released Sepede whose shot was deflected wide for another corner, this time Heywood heading over.

Filmore then had a shot blocked as United strived for the equaliser. During this spell Chalfont replaced the injured Webb with James Louison.

Walden was forced to tip over a shot from Harding before Wiltshire, Ollie Flint and Middleton combined down the right, gaining a free kick in the process from which Buchanan fired wide for a goal kick.

Chalfont had the last word in the half when Filmore fouled Paget on the edge of the area and Mason fired the kick into the wall, Paget shooting at the keeper from the rebound.

Half time  1-0

Wasps began the second period intent on extending their one goal lead, Paget striking the ball wide on 48 minutes.

Shortly after this the home team scored their second. From a short corner on the right

Glynn was left trying to mark two attackers; the ball was fired straight at Walden who failed to gather the shot, the ball bouncing of his chest. In the ensuing melee Harding stabbed the ball over the line for a two goal lead.

At this stage there looked only one winner, Charles having a shot from long range before Filmore became the first Marlow player in the book after several foul challenges.

Mason was subbed for the home team as Wasps pressed a dispirited United. Louison

shot wide when in the clear, Paget drove into area only to miss the target as he was tackled. Chadbone twice missed the target as a misplaced pass allowed his first effort and then a last ditch tackle forced him to hurry his shot.

United subbed the struggling Middleton, still suffering from an earlier injury, and Reno Sepede, suffering from chest infection, with Sam Francis and Vinnie Cuva.

The latter player had a big influence on the game, his pace unsettling Wasp’s back four and relieving the isolated Ryan Davis who was fighting a loan battle up front.

On 70 minutes full back Adam Lanaway received a pass from Wiltshire,

breaking down the right, his accurate cross finding Cuva who’s first effort came off Turnham only for the sub to slam the rebound into the net.

Spurred on by this United forced Wasps onto the defensive with Cuva causing problems with his pace.

Even so Heywood had to be alert at the back twice foiling Louison with great tackles. Da Silva then fired over from a corner on the left before Flint’s free kick was met by Cuva with Buchanan then shooting wide of the right post.

Woodward then fouled Cuva with Glynn hitting the free kick  long then Woodward was penalised again this time Cuva firing wide from another Glynn free kick.

Then on 80 minutes Marlow deservedly equalised with Cuva again involved his shot being blocked. Flint then saw his shot deflected for a corner from which Davis fired the ball into the net, his fourth goal in as many games and reward for his tireless work up front.

Both sides appeared happy to settle for a draw as neither side really looked like snatching a winner although Buchanan tried his luck from long range after an exchange between Cuva and Glynn. At the other end Walden easily dealt with Gilbert’s header only to clear the ball into touch. This allowed Wasps to regain possession, which in turn led to the final attack. Cuva lost the ball, allowing Louison to set up an attack and as the ball was fired goal ward Lanaway dived in to block the shot. The ball hit his hands at chest height from around five yards and the referee’s assistant signalled the penalty.

After consulting his colleague the penalty was awarded and Charles made no mistake from the spot, coolly slotting the ball into the right hand corner with Walden diving the wrong way.

With over three minutes of added time already played United virtually had no time to kick off before the game  ended amongst much joy for the home team and much anguish by a deflated Marlow side.

A distressed manager Kevin Carvell could barely bring himself to comment ” We were robbed, we deserved at least a draw from this game. I’ve now got to pick the lads up for a difficult game away to Henley on Monday, as well as assessing several injuries to key players”

Scores

1)  A Walden    5   two critical errors

2)  A Lanaway   6  settled well after shaky start

3) M Flint   Only played 5 minutes

4)  T Heywood   9  outstanding again

5)  G Wiltshire  8  dominant defensive performance

6)  D Buchanan  8  was  involved throughout the 90 mins

7)  M Glynn  7   ran the game for the first 45

8)  R Middleton  7  suffered after horrendous tackle

9)  B Filmore  7   Ben was terrier like for 90 mins

10)  R Sepede  7  constant danger until illness took it’s toll

11)  R Davis   7   tireless display capped by fourth goal of season

Subs

O Flint   7  played brilliantly against an experienced opponent

S Francis  6  bought his usual brand of energy to the game

V Cuva   8   changed the game with his direct running

MOM