Marlow United – 6 Holyport – 0

Marlow United stormed to a six nil win over local rivals Holyport in a sensational opening game to the new season.

The Villagers ended the game with eight men as their frustration boiled over, all three dismissals resulting from verbal abuse of the officials.

The home team grabbed an early lead, scoring in the first minute as good work by Mattie Glynn resulted in a corner on the right. Receiving a short ball Rino Sepede evaded a defender before crossing in a near post ball where new signing Ryan Davis guided the ball over the goal line.

Holyport pressed United back as they attempted to draw level with Rapley firing wide when well placed. Walden in the home goal was called into action, saving a header after Giles was penalised for a late tackle.

Minutes later the keeper was Marlow’s saviour diving to his right to keep out another Holyport free kick.

It was Rino Sepede who kept the Holyport defence at full stretch, twice running on to through balls, delaying his attempt once and being thwarted by keeper Carter on the other occasion. It was the same player who eventually put the home side two up, receiving the ball from Dan Pedley before slotting the ball past the keeper.

This really began Holyport’s troubles as Phil Collins disputed the goal and was sent of for continual abuse of the referee.

Two up in 25 minutes against ten men Marlow began to dominate proceedings and within a minute Sepede repaid Pedley, playing him into the penalty area were the experienced midfielder picked his spot.

Just to confirm it was not Holyport’s day Woods bulldozed his way into the United area, riding a dangerous challenge from Giles, which appeared to justify a penalty kick only to be booked for diving as a second challenge, came in.

Within two minutes a four man move involving Pedley, Sepede and Francis found Davis free in the box and he duly dispatched the ball into the net to make it 4-0.

Debutant Adam Lanaway thwarted Holyport clearing the ball off the line after Walden mishandled a high ball before Ross Middleton made it 5-0 on 42 minutes, scoring from 8 yards after a delightful chip from Glynn found him unmarked in the penalty area.

Keeper Carter then entered the referee’s book for needlessly kicking the ball away in frustration.

Half Time.

5 - 0.

With the game over as a meaningful contest it was inevitable that the tempo would drop, United content to contain ten man Holyport as the away side attempting a consolation.

In the first minute of the half Rapley crossed for Woods to head over.

Marlow’s Giles was booked for a late challenge before Sepede and Davis both had shots saved.

Rapley was again involved firing a free kick over the bar as Lanaway became the second United player to go into the book for another late tackle.

The same player was involved in Marlow’s next attack, his cross from the from the bye line skidding dangerously across the area.

Manager Kevin Carvell began ringing the changes substituting a tiring Giles with promising youngster Rob Crawford on 65 minutes with Parsons and Pedley being replaced by James Ramsey and Steve Gabb 3 minutes later.

It was Ramsey who was soon involved bringing a superb save from Carter with only his second touch.

By now Marlow were creating numerous chances against a tiring Holyport, Ramsey firing over before finding the keeper with chances then crossing for Glynn to power a header over the bar.

On 82 minutes Sam Francis intercepted a misplaced pass and immediately played Ramsey into space behind the Holyport defence. The rangy forward strode into the area before placing the ball into the net to make it 6-0.

With the game petering out the away side suddenly found themselves reduced to 8 men. First the dangerous Lewis Driver, who had been superbly contained by Marlow captain Tristan Heywood, and then Chris Woods were shown the red card for verbal abuse with the game extended by 7 minutes of stoppage time.

Marlow manager Kevin Carvell said after the match” We couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season. We looked really sharp all over the pitch today and are all looking forward Ascot United on Tuesday followed by our FA cup game on Friday against Cove”

Scores on the doors

1) Andrew Walden 7 Two excellent saves

2) Ollie Flint 7 This youngster continues to improve

3) Adam Lanaway 7 Excellent debut for the youngster

4) Spencer Giles 6 Played well until running out of steam

5) Tristan Heywood 7 Usual composed performance from Tristan

6) Ross Middleton 8 Ross dominated the mid field

7) Sam Francis 7 Non stop performance

8) Matt Glynn 7 Showed all his class

9) Ryan Davis 7 Two goals on his debut, excellent

10) Reno Sepede 7 Ran the defence ragged

11) Daniel Pedley 7 Scored, set up two goals

Subs

Rob Crawford 6 looks comfortable at this level

James Ramsey 7 Scored looked sharp

Steve Gabb 6 Dependable

MOM

Ross Middleton