SPORT ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE EAST

BACK ON TRACK

Marlow United - 2 Penn and Tylers Green - 0

 United’s pursuit of the runners up spot in the Sport Italia Hellenic League East was back on track having faltered in the last two games with a workmanlike 2-0 victory over local rivals Penn and Tylers Green.

With rivals Holyport and Binfield dropping crucial points United have put some daylight between themselves and their nearest challengers with just eight games to play.

To emphasise the importance of the win United manager commented after the game.

“ We now face eight crucial league games with only two of those at home, runaway leaders Chalfont Wasps being one of them. We have to visit three of our main rivals so it was imperative that we gained maximum points today against a Penn side who have been showing improved form of late”

It was the visitors who began the game on the front foot forcing a corner straight from the kick off.

Marlow captain Tristan Heywood cleared the subsequent cross with Penn appealing for a penalty as a forward was bundled over after the ball was returned to the United area.

On two minutes United’s Dan Pedley’s game was over when he was injured in making a ball winning tackle on the edge of the Penn area.

With Ollie Flint slotting into left back Doug Buchanan replaced the unlucky Pedley.

Still it was Penn who made most of the early running as Marlow struggled in coming to terms with a strong wind and hard pitch.

Ben Filmore found himself in the ref’s notebook after a late challenge on Penn’s Keenan on 20 minutes with Rob Crawford rescuing the home team with a timely clearance four minutes later.

Gradually the home team began to assert themselves on the game and with the experienced Matt Flint and Ross Middleton, back to his best, dominating the middle of the park United began to threaten the Penn goal.

A Bowler free kick was volleyed wide by Filmore on 28 minutes before a Crawford pass found Middleton. He in turn found Buchanan and the midfielders effort was cleared for a corner.

From the kick Coull fired wide from the edge of the area.

Constant Marlow pressure resulted in another corner after Ollie Flint and Coull combined.

Bowler’s kick was half cleared to Buchanan, his shot being headed away when it looked destined for the net.

Penn almost caught out the Marlow defence with a quick break, only Hunt’s poor pass after a good run stopping the away team taking a shock lead.

Back came Marlow with Bowler and Sepede combining to set up Buchanan, his cross being intercepted.

With the half coming to a close another Bowler free kick found Coull in the area.

The Marlow man was bundled over from behind but to his dismay the referee waved play on.

Coull then found himself in the book for his protests.

With the official playing 5 minutes extra time United suffered their second injury, as Ollie Flint appeared to fall awkwardly, injuring his calf in the process.

 Ht 0-0

 With the wind now in their favour Marlow began the second half in determined fashion.

Vinnie Cuva replaced the injured Flint; Buchanan becoming the third left full back of the game, as United were forced to reshuffle their line up again.

The home team won a corner in the first minute, which was cleared. Bowler then lost out in a chase for the ball after a short back pass almost embarrassed Penn keeper Bampton.

Middleton was wide with an attempt after Sepede set up the chance.

Sepede then sent Bowler clear with a cheeky back heel only for the Marlow man to find the keeper with his effort.

At the other end Hunt fired over when well placed as Penn reminded the home team that they were still in contention.

Then on 63 minutes the pressure finally told.

United won a free kick on the left and with Buchanan peeling of the defensive wall Bowler’s free kick curled round the wall and was fumbled by Bampton. The keeper appeared to catch the ball but as it bounced from his grasp Tristan Heywood reacted quickest to nod the ball over the line and put United deservedly in the lead.

Penn’s Dave Allen fired wide as a Marlow clearance found him in space.

Still it was the home team who were applying most of the pressure.

Cuva combined with sub Ryan Davis, on for Sepede, to set up Coull, his shot being blocked for a corner.

Coull saw yet another effort blocked from the subsequent corner but that was only delaying the inevitable.

Two minutes later Crawford returned a cross back into the area where yet again Coull saw his effort saved. This time though the ball arrived back to the midfielder and he dispatched it into the net to give United a two goal cushion. Goal timed on 68 minutes.

Home keeper Cooper then cheekily nut megged Groves on the edge of his own area as the Penn player challenged the custodian.

Matt Flint became the third home player in the book for a late challenge on Bryant as Penn tried to haul back the two-goal deficit.

Ryan Davis had a great opportunity to add to his eleven goals this season; his shot bringing a sharp save from Bampton after the forward had skipped past his marker.

Bowler then sent Cuva off on a run, the Marlow man seeing his effort miss the target with the keeper beaten.

Adam North was wide with an effort as the away team staged a late rally.

With one minute of normal time remaining Hunt wasted Penn’s best opportunity of the game, firing across the face of the goal with only Cooper to beat.

A goal then could have seen a frantic finale as Cooper saved his best for last brilliantly tipping a shot from Sturgess over the bar and with the referee adding another four minutes of extra time United were happy to hear the final whistle.

 Team Cooper, Flint O, Crawford, Heywood, Flint M, Pedley, Middleton, Coull, Bowler, Sepede, Filmore Subs used, Cuva, Davis, Buchanan

 A Cooper                   6 confident display

B Filmore                   6 as above

R Crawford                6 Coped well

T Heywood                 7 Involved as always

D Pedley                    Withdrawn on 2 minutes

O Flint                         6 Replaced on 45 minutes

M Flint                         6 Experienced display

R Middleton               8 Back to his best

J Bowler                     6 Always a danger

C Coull                       7 Good to see him back

R Sepede                  6 Played well despite injury

Subs

D Buchanan               7 Have United discovered a left back?

V Cuva                       6 threatened

R Davis                      6 A threat

MOM

Ross Middleton