FA VASE
1st Round Proper
STALEMATE! RAMSEY SAVES THE DAY!
Marlow United – 1 Lymington Town - 1
(After Extra Time)
A
stunning James Ramsey free kick converted on 48 minutes kept alive Marlow
United’s interest in this seasons FA Vase as the blues go into the second
round draw for the first time in their history.
First
they must overcome Lymington Town in Tuesdays replay but they can travel with
some confidence having matched the Wessex League Premier Division team over 120
minutes of exciting football, dominating most of the second half and extra time.
United
promoted the diminutive Mark Rowley from the reserves into the midfield and it
was ‘Scouse’ who was immediately involved in the action, receiving a through
ball on the left and firing straight at Wilsher in the Lymington goal in the
first minute.
Marlow
continued with their bright start with the same player again involved in much of
the play.
Lymington
threatened on 12 minutes Richmond and Rink involved in a dangerous move.
Two
minutes later Marlow almost snatched the lead; Ollie Flint’s free kick from
the left was met by Matt Flint, the ball rebounding of the left post with
Wilsher beaten.
Back
came Lymington with a free kick at the other end fired straight at the United
wall.
Ramsey
became the first booking of the day for showing his studs in a challenge as
United struggled to find any shape to their game often giving the ball away
needlessly with the Lymington team capitalising on the errors and counter
attacking with pace.
It
was from such a move that the away team took the lead on 27 minutes. Winning the
ball in midfield Rink played the ball into the path of Wilkinson who strode into
the danger area before firing past Pollard to give Lymington the lead.
Marlow
were then forced into a change as Sciaraffa limped of to be replaced by Alan
West.
The
resultant reshuffle with Ollie Flint slotting into the departed Sciaraffa’s
position
and
Matt Flint swapping with Ben Filmore saw United gradually take control in the
midfield .
They
began to create more chances with Rowley and West both involved in much of the
forward play.
Pollard
had to be alert on 36 minutes though, clearing with his head as Lymington
continued to threaten on the counter attack.
Heywood
almost let in the away team with an uncharacteristic slip on 43 minutes,
Richmond forcing a fine save from Pollard as he attempted to capitalise on the
centre half’s error.
Marlow
finished the half on top with Flint, Davis and Ramsey combining, the latter
forcing a save from Wilshire before Ramsey was again involved stretching to
reach a Flint cross with his head.
Half
Time 0-1
United
soon levelled the scores, beginning the second half as they did the first
forcing the visitors on the back foot.
Buchanan
and Ramsey combined to create a dangerous moment before Ryan Davis was fouled on
the edge of the area.
From
the resultant free kick Ramsey fired an unstoppable shot around the wall into
the top right hand corner of the goal.
Filmore
miscued an attempted clearance allowing Rink a chance which he missed from
around 6 yards.
Back
came Marlow with West shooting wide after receiving the ball from Ramsey.
Marlow
then appealed in vain for a penalty with a through ball being handled in the
area by Lymingtons Sims in full view of both the referee and his assistant.
Much
to their dismay the appeals were waived away.
Undeterred
the home team dominated the possession, Rowley, Ramsey and Buchanan all having
attempts on goal with Matt Flint and Ryan Davis bossing the midfield.
Wiltshire
failed to clear at the other end with Filmore saving his blushes, clearing for a
corner.
A
goal for either side at this stage would probably have won the tie and it was
certainly the home team who looked the most likely to break the deadlock.
Cummings
stood firm in the centre of the Lymington defence as United attempted to secure
the win. On 67 minutes Buchanan combined with Rowley to shoot wide.
Then
Ramsey fired over when well placed on the right.
On
71 minutes Ollie Flint forced a save from Wilshire with a free kick and four
minutes later Ramsey and West exchanged passes before the former fired over.
On 80
minutes Davis was replaced by Cuva as manager Carvell attempted to clinch the
win.
Wiltshire
found himself in the book following a rash challenge as the half came to a close
when United should have sealed the game, West’s control deserting him in the
six yard box when well placed.
Ramsey
was then blocked in the area as the half ended and both teams contemplated extra
time.
90
minutes 1-1
Marlow
looked the most likely winner in extra time, Buchanan, Rowley and Cuva all
involved in goal attempts whilst at the other end sub Long forced a save from
Pollard as the first 15 minutes came to a close.
Both
teams were tiring but again it was the home team who forced the pace.
Pedley
replaced Rowley with ten minutes left but to no avail. Buchanan had the last
attempt on the Lymington goal before Richmond almost snatched the win for the
away team, firing over from close range following a cross from the left.
So
it’s off to the New Forest for Tuesdays replay, KO 7.45.
After the game manager Kevin Carvell said, “We played really well and I felt we deserved to win. How we did not get a penalty only the officials know. It will be difficult but we can still win this tie”
One
disappointing footnote that nearly wrecked United's big day was a local
newspaper reporting that Marlow United were playing on the Friday evening away
to Bedgrove in the County Cup. This misreporting reduced United's gate from a
normal 120 spectators to just 28! This error cost United £500!! For a football
club with no tangible revenue streams the impact was damaging to say the least.
1) Matt
Pollard
7 confident
2)
Matt Flint
8
excellent
3)
M Sciaraffa
7
Injured
4)
T Heywood
7 dependable
5)
G Wiltshire
7
strong
6)
B Filmore
7 tireless
7)
Ollie Flint
7 Cool
8)
D Buchanan
7 involved throughout
9)
J Ramsey
8 superb goal
10)
R Davis
7 played well
11)
M Rowley
7 tireless performance
Subs
A
West
7
V
Cuva 7
D
Pedley
6
MOM
James
Ramsey
MOM
MARCO SCIARAFFA