SPORT
ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE
SUPPLEMENTARY
CUP
Fielding
a side containing no less than six changes from last Saturdays defeat off Penn,
United will be delighted to have overcome a side currently riding high in the
Hellenic League (West).
None
more so than leading scorer Ryan Davis who finally moved off eleven goals with a
brace, the latter sealing the game on 86 minutes after the referee harshly
penalised Easington’s Coleman for handling Andy West’s fiercely struck shot.
Davis duly slotted home the penalty sending keeper Okole the wrong way
and sealing the tie in the process.
In
truth it was no more than the home team deserved having had the majority of the
play and creating numerous chances through out the 90 minutes.
It
was the away team who took the lead in only the 4th minute though
when Adam Daley embarked on a run finally firing under the despairing dive of
Cooper.
This
was after the prolific Rickey Johnson, 37 goals so far this season, had fired
wide from a cross on two minutes.
Far
from being shaken by this set back Marlow began to dominate possession with
right back Vinnie Cuva enjoying his unaccustomed start in an even more
unaccustomed position.
Much
of United’s attacking play came through the full back, his pace constantly
troubling Easington’s defence.
He
instigated Marlow’s first dangerous attack on 10 minutes crossing the ball to
Buchanan who in turn found Sepede who was crowded out in the area.
A
minute later a Buchanan free kick from the left some how found it’s way
through to Crawford at the far post only for the centre half to miss from two
yards.
Easington
relieved the pressure with a break away Spaull’s cross-evading everyone and
going for a throw in.
Cuva
then blasted over from another typical run into the danger area.
Sepede
wasted a good opportunity on 22minutes delaying his shot when put through, the
same player being involved 3 minutes later. Receiving a ball from Cuva he set up
Davis who fired over.
Easington
forced the first corner of the game on 26 minutes with Cooper safely catching
the kick before Matt Flint and Green both saw efforts sail wide.
Marlow’s
pressure finally paid off on 32 minutes with another splendid run and cross from
Cuva causing panic in the Sport’s defence allowing Davis to stab home from
close range.
Johnson
found himself in space behind the United defence only to be pulled up by an
offside flag as he advanced on goal.
H/T
1-1
Marlow
carried on where they left off at the start of the second period, Lanaway’s
cross seeing Sepede fire wide as the home team attempted to make their
possession count.
West
then slipped past his marker and fired in a dangerous cross which was cleared.
With
the wind at their backs Easington certainly looked a more dangerous outfit,
stretching United’s makeshift back four with Johnson causing most of the
problems.
If
the top scorer had had his eye in the away team could well have pulled of a
shock as several half chances went begging.
After
several home sortie’s Spaull was fouled on the edge of the area, Matt Flint
harshly being booked for what looked a dubious foul, Johnson wasting the
opportunity by firing wide.
Sepede
then forced a save from Okole before Easington sub Keenan was booked following
an outrageous dive in the area as Cooper challenged for a loose ball.
Further
half chances came and went for the home side with Sepede, Cuva and Buchanan all
involved.
Easington’s
Johnson had three opportunities in the space of 5 minutes but was unable to
convert any of them
The
away team would come to regret those misses but not before Matt Flint was shown
a second yellow card resulting in his dismissal with less than 10 minutes
remaining.
The
Marlow captain again looked unlucky to receive a yellow for an innocuous
challenge and down to ten men the thoughts of extra time loomed large.
As it was the Davis
penalty settled the tie in normal time. United repelled Easington’s last
desperate efforts to snatch an equaliser.
Daley
wasted their last chance by firing across the goal after Source played him into
the area.
Manager Kevin
Carvell commented after the game “Considering the changes we were forced
into making that was an excellent result. Quarter final up next, were in it to
win it”
Cooper
6 One lapse, solid apart from that
Cuva
8
Outstanding
Green
6 Solid
Crawford
7 Excellent
Lanaway
6 Good to see him back
O Flint
6 All action
M Flint
6 experienced
Buchanan
6 excellent passing
West
6 Dangerous crosses
Davis
7 Two goals
Sepede
6 Dangerous
MOM
V Cuva