FA VASE

1^st Round Replay

UNITED CRASH OUT OF THE VASE

Lymington Town – 5 Marlow United - 1

Marlow United’s dreams of an FA Vase cup run came to an abrupt end after a disastrous second half in their 1st round replay away to Lymington Town.

The away team ended the game with just nine players after keeper Matt Pollard was dismissed for abusive language on 72 minutes and sub keeper Ollie Flint was then red carded for handling the ball outside the area six minutes later.

By then the game was over as a contest with Lymington leading 3-1 and they went on to complete a comprehensive victory scoring two more against a depleted Marlow.

There had been no inkling of what was to come in the first 45 minutes with United more than matching their Wessex Premier League opponents, creating the better scoring chances in an even if untidy half.

Lymington began the game in positive mood taking the game to a United team who fielded defenders Heywood and Matt Flint in central midfield owing to the absence of Filmore and Buchanan.

The home team gained the first corner on two minutes only to waste the opportunity hitting the ball behind the goal.

Marlow began to gain some possession and on six minutes carved out an excellent opportunity to take the lead, with Dan Pedley finding space behind the Lymington defence his accurate cross from the right was volleyed over by Heywood from eight yards.

Lymington hit back after that let off, Wilkinson outstripping a back four appealing in vain for offside only for Pollard to save the day. From the resultant play Lymington gained a free kick on the edge of the area, which was fired wide, shortly after Pollard was again in action saving from Rink.

Marlow gained their second corner on ten minutes, which came to nothing before Richmond, and Rink tested the United defence.

On twenty minutes a long clearance from Pollard led to Heywood gaining a free kick on the left of the area. Ramsey’s resultant kick was met by Heywood who headed over.

Seconds later Davis received a yellow card for holding back his opponent as Lymington attempted a quick break.

At this stage the game was evenly balanced, Matt Flints free kick being held by Wilsher, the Marlow player being involved again, clearing a dangerous cross for a corner.

On 32 minutes Taylor turned on the edge of the area and fired over for the home team before Heywood and Sepede combined, the latters shot being saved by Wilshire.

On 42 minutes United created the best chance of the game so far, Ramsey, Pedley and Ollie Flint combining with Ramsey having his shot saved by Wilshire’s legs on the goal line.

 Half time 0-0

 Lymington were straight out of the blocks as the half began. A Rink corner from the right found Taylor unmarked on the left edge of the area. His shot was brilliantly tipped away by Pollard for another corner but it was ground hog day as the ball landed at the feet of the same player in the same position, this time he made no mistake placing his shot beyond Pollard and into the far corner of the net.

Almost from the kick of United equalised. Heywood released Sepede who ran the ball into the area where he was felled by a desperate tackle. Davis stepped forward to place the spot kick to the right of Wilshire and level the scores at 1-1.

Still it was the home team who carried the greater threat their forwards constantly stretching the United back four with Wiltshire having a strangely hesitant game in the centre.

Hesitation almost presented Purkiss with the second goal but his poor cross only delayed the inevitable. When Ritchie’s shot was deflected for a corner on 55 minutes the ball fell to the feet of Cummings who fired home a great shot from 25 yards.

2-1 down United gradually began to come back into the game and although they were still struggling at the back the game was still in the balance.

Taylor was really stretching the Marlow defence and only a last ditch clearance from Crawford prevented a third goal for Lymington.

Taylor and Purkiss attempted to capitalise on a misplaced Pedley pass, one of several, gaining a corner in the process and then Ritchie waltzed past three defenders before firing at Pollard.

In between this Marlow offered little with only Heywood battling manfully in midfield and Ramsey and Sepede receiving few if any decent passes in attack.

The real turning point came on 72 minutes when a Wilshire tackle on Ritchie in the area resulted in a disputed penalty. In the ensuing melee the referee dismissed keeper Pollard for abusive language and with Ollie flint taking over the keepers jersey Richmond fired home the penalty for a match winning 3-1 lead.

Worse was to come for United six minutes later as Flint misjudged a through ball and handled the ball outside the area.

The young Marlow custodian was injured in the process, which thankfully only resulted in just a dead leg as the worst was feared and as he was being stretchered off he was shown the red card.

 Down to nine men it was backs to the wall for Marlow but even so they conceded twice more, sub Metcalf netting both goals to rub salt in the wounds.

United survived nearly ten minutes of extra time before the referee bought the painful proceedings to an end.

Manager Kevin Carvell was unavailable for a comment after the game.

1)     M Pollard                                6 Excellent saves until moment of madness

2)     O Flint                                     6   Defended well

3)     D Prasol                                  6  Did well after long absence

4)     R Crawford                             5 average performance

5)     G Wiltshire                              5 hesitant performance

6)     R Davis                                   5  struggled in unfamiliar position

7)     M Flint                                    5  struggled in second half

8)     T Heywood                             7  Always in the thick of the action

9)     D Pedley                                 5  Inconsistent performance

10) R Sepede                                6  Won penalty

11)  J Ramsey                                5  little impact

Sub V Cuva                                         5  Difficult game to make any impression

MOM

TRISTAN HEYWOOD