SPORT ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE EAST  

SUPER SEPEDE STRIKE GIVES UNITED THE POINTS

KINTBURY RANGERS - 0 MARLOW UNITED - 1

Marlow United dented Kintbury’s title ambitions, inflicting a first home defeat of the season in the process, moving themselves ever closer to the top two places in the league in the process.

Matt Pollard returning in goal and with Doug Buchanan passing a late fitness test these were the only changes from Tuesdays Reading Senior Cup team.

The home team began the game in attacking mode, Drake testing Pollard with a stinging shot in the first minute. The United back four had to be alert two minutes later with Prasol clearing a Brown header from under the bar as United struggled to gain a foothold in the game.

The away team created their first opportunity on 7 minutes, Filmore finding Davis who in turn found Sepede with a through ball. With home keeper Roberts attempting to gather the ball the Marlow forward was unable to turn the ball back across the goal and the chance was gone.

On 13 minutes the first corner of the game was cleared by the Marlow defence and 4 minutes later the home team had the ball in the net only for the referee to award a free kick to Marlow for a foul on Matt Flint.

By now Marlow were beginning to impose their game on the home team and with Flint and Buchanan commanding the midfield Sepede fired a shot just over the bar on 21 minutes.

Kintbury’s Mandry received a caution for a heavy challenge on Andy West two minutes later as United continued to dominate possession, only the final ball letting down their approach play.

West, Ryan and Sepede combined to allow Pedley a shooting chance only for the home defence to smother the effort.

Seconds later Marlow had a strong penalty appeal turned down, Sepede tumbling after a clumsy challenge from behind as the forward bore down on goal.

Undeterred United continued to dominate proceedings and Kintbury could have gone in a goal down as the ball was deflected from a United corner only to be cleared of the line by keeper Roberts and a defender.

 Half Time 0-0

Marlow had the ball in the Kintbury net two minutes after the restart only for Buchanan to be marginally ruled off side.

Kintbury almost took the lead seconds later. After a short corner on the left Parfitt fired in a low shot which evaded everyone in the area and hit the right hand post.

Rangers kept up the pressure on United with the same player curling a free kick over the Marlow wall and cross bar after a Pedley foul.

By now the home team were in the ascendancy pushing back the Marlow defence. A Peters cross was brilliantly headed over by Heywood with West clearing the resultant corner.

Pollard then punched clear a cross with Crawford hoofing the loose ball away.

Back came Rangers with another corner from the right, Thorpe missing an excellent opportunity from 6 yards.

When United did break out Sepede beat two defenders but finished with a poor cross.

That should have been a warning to the home defence but the same player caught them out on 66 minutes.

Substitute James Ramsey, who had replaced Ryan Davis, minutes earlier, flicked a superb pass on to Sepede. The Marlow forward held off his marker before slotting the ball past Roberts from the left of the area to give United the lead.

Kintbury continued to pressurise the United defence and Pollard had to at his brilliant best on 76 minutes producing a double save from the dangerous Thorpe following a corner.

United withstood the home team pressure and with Wiltshire replacing Sepede survived the final 15 minutes.

In fact if Ramsey had been able to find an unmarked Wiltshire after a break down the left on 81 minutes the game could have been over but his cross-sailed harmlessly over the bar.

There were some dangerous moments at the other end none more so than when a misplaced pass by Pedley almost cost United the win.  Kintbury pounced on the mistake, Prasol’s clearance was played back into the area where Buchanan appeared to bring down Parfitt with a rash challenge. Much to Rangers dismay the referee ignored the appeals and United survived.

Pollard had one more save to make from Mason before Buchanan almost snatched a second his shot from Prasol’s pass being tipped round the post by Roberts in the final action of the game.

Kevin Carvell commented after the game” A great result for Marlow. We deserved the win in what was an excellent attacking game. Not many teams will win here, we now move on to Thame next week”

Scores

1)     M Pollard                       8  Superb handling

2)     B Filmore                      7  Excellent committed performance

3)     D Prasol                        7  As above

4)     R Crawford                    7  Improves with every game

5)     T Heywood                    8  Commanding

6)     A West                          7  Tireless display

7)     M Flint                           8  Dominating

8)     D Buchanan                 7  90 minute of action

9)     D Pedley                      7  Almost back to his best

10) R Sepede                     7  Great goal

11) R Davis                         7  100% all round effort

Subs

J Ramsey             7 immediate impact

G Wiltshire         7  Physical presence

 MOM

Matt Pollard