FA
CHALLENGE CUP
EXTRA
PRELIMINARY ROUND
BRAVE
UNITED BOW OUT OF FA CUP
Brave
Marlow United lost a pulsating FA cup tie at Wilks Park where a crowd of 182
witnessed a slick Cove team clinch a place in the next round with a 2-1 victory.
Playing
for the first time ever in this prestigious competition United began the game as
underdogs against their higher ranked opponents. They almost continued the cups
tradition of giant killing taking the lead in the second half before finally
conceding the winning goal in the 87th minute.
Marlow
began the game in determined style unsettling Cove in the early stages of the
match forcing the first corner of the game on two minutes through Filmore and
Wiltshire.
Cove’s
Kevin Cooper was soon in the wars suffering a face injury following a clash with
Mat Flint.
Shortly
after the energetic Middleton slid the ball through to the dangerous Sepede who
was crowded out by the Cove defence. The away side then began to impose
themselves on the game and after continual pressure in which Cooper, Moody and
Turner all had shots blocked the home defence managed to clear the ball. Moody
was again involved crossing the ball only for the impressive Heywood to head
clear.
Back
came Marlow and when Sepede was fouled on the left touch line Matty Glynn’s
dipping free kick was tipped away brilliantly by Andy Hunt. From the corner Mat
Flints header was saved by Hunt. Sepede then wasted the opportunity to set up
Wiltshire when after rounding two defenders he failed to pick out his forward
partner in the area.
At
this stage United looked the more dangerous of the two teams particularly from
set pieces. Filmore and Sepede combined to set up another corner only for Hunt
to clear Sciaraffa’s kick. A Matty Glynn free kick on the right found the head
of Flint whose header flew over the bar.
Cove’s
Danny Turner found himself clear of the United defence only to shoot across the
face of the goal as the game continued at a hectic pace.
Marlow’s
Pedley then left Moody sprawled on the turf after a hefty but fair challenge.
The ball was eventually knocked out of play by Cove and Wiltshire incurred the
anger of the away supporters when he did not return the ball.
Cooper
then set up Turner who missed the target whilst under pressure. Turner then
crossed for the impressive Passmore to have his shot blocked. From a short
corner Moody’s cross was met by McCarthy only for Walden to save on the line.
As
the half closed Wiltshire was warned for a rash challenge by referee Jewell who
had an excellent game.
Half
time 0-0
It
only took 3 minutes for Marlow to take the lead in the second half.
Sciaraffa’s corner was headed back by Flint where Wiltshire scored from close
range.
1-0
up and Marlow took the game to their opponents. Middleton released Pedley
into the Cove area only for the Marlow man to delay his shot when well placed.
Sciaraffa then saw his cross evade everyone in the area and minutes later Pedley
combined with Sepede only for the latter to see his shot saved.
It
was then Cove then took a grip on the game; Goldney being foiled by Filmore
before Flint rescued Walden clearing of the line after the keeper missed a
cross. This set up a series of scares for United as Sciaraffa cleared off the
line from a corner. Walden then saved from Hill. From the corner Marlow again
cleared of the line but on this occasion Passmore returned the ball smartly into
the back of the net from 8 yards to level the scores, time 61 minutes.
The
Combined Counties team’s fitness began to tell as they began to expose the
gaps in the home defence. Cooper skipped past two defenders only to shoot wide.
At
the other end Pedley saw a drive tipped over the bar by Hunt as the home team
refused to lie down.
On
68 minutes the influential but tiring Glynn was replaced by Adam Lanaway as
manager Carvell attempted to refresh the midfield and 3 minutes later goal
scorer Wiltshire was replaced by Ryan Davis.
The
Cove team continued to look the more dangerous outfit with Hamsher, Moody and
Goldney all having shots.
On
80 minutes Pedley, Filmore and Buchanan combined the ball being scrambled away
from the resultant corner.
A
minute later and perhaps the crucial moment of the half occurred, as a through
ball appeared to hit McCarthy on the hand in the Cove area. Referee Jewell would
have none of it waiving away
penalty appeals from the Marlow players and bench.
A
goal then could have sealed the game for the home team instead it was Cove who
snatched the winning goal. On 85
minutes Cooper was left in space on the left and his cross was met by an
unmarked Passmore who fired a low shot under Walden and into the net.
The
relief of the Cove team was evident as they piled onto the scorer in ecstasy.
United
attempted to force the game into an extra 30 minutes, Flint hitting a free kick
into the defensive wall and Sciaraffa’s through ball being collected by Hunt.
At
the final whistle Cove celebrated as if the final had been won, a fitting
tribute to the performance of their opponents in an excellent game played in the
best spirit of the cup.
Manager
Kevin Carvell was justly pleased with his team stating ”We matched Cove for
the 90 minutes creating a number of good chances. In the final analysis they
proved to be the fitter and just about deserved their win. We now need to carry
this level of performance into the league on Tuesday when we entertain Wokingham
and away to Chalfont next Saturday”
1) Walden
6 Some excellent saves
2) Ben Filmore
7 Ben put in a polished
performance
3) Mark Sciarrafa
7 Yet again showed what an accomplished defender he is
4) Matt Flint
8 Matt was inspired throughout
5) Tristan Heywood
7 Yet again a fine defensive
display
6) Ross Middleton
8 Ross was non stop action
7) Doug Buchanan
7 Always involved in the
action
8) Matt Glynn
7 orchestrated United’s
midfield
9) Gary Wiltshire
7 Bustling
display capped by scoring
10) Rino Sepede
7 Constant threat
11) Dan Pedley
7 committed 90 minutes
Subs
Adam Lanaway
6 slotted in well
Ryan Davis
7 Looked dangerous
MOM
Mathew
Flint