SPORT ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE EAST

JEKYLL OR HYDE?

THAME UNITED – 2 MARLOW UNITED - 0

Marlow United’s supporters must wonder which side will turn up after yet another disappointing result against a middle of the table side.

They just did not look like a side challenging for the runners up spot putting in a lack lustre display.

Allowing for the loss of several key players through holidays, suspension and injuries this was a poor display against a very average Thame side, one that the team will have to quickly forget with tough games coming up in the next two weeks.

Marlow kicked off on an uneven surface facing a stiff breeze and after weathering initial Thame pressure began to take a grip on the game.

United keeper Cooper cleared from Leach as the home team made the first of several early forays in the game, surviving two corners in the process before creating the first of several gilt edged opportunities.

On eleven minutes a Buchanan pass found Ollie Flint in the area, his shot was parried by keeper Higgs. The ball fell at the feet of Callum Coull and the normally reliable midfielder blasted over from ten yards.

On 20 minutes Sepede controlled a difficult ball his pass finding Buchanan who again bought an excellent save from Higgs.

Three minutes later it was Ollie Flint finding Sepede, his shot flying over the bar.

Mat Flint’s cross field ball then sent Coull away on the left, his cross hitting the bar with Higgs beaten.

At this stage it only seemed a matter of time before the away team took the lead. It took a speculative effort from the dangerous Nathan  Jack to remind Marlow that they could not afford to relax, the Thame forward outpacing the defensive cover before looping a long range shot over the advancing Cooper and onto the crossbar.

That was just about the home teams only effort on target in the first half as Marlow resumed their control of the game.

Then as the half came to a close Ollie flint suffered a gash above his right eye and was replaced by Vinnie Cuva.

The loss of their  most influential player was to prove most damaging as the game progressed.

 HT 0-0

With the wind in their favour United must have felt confident of breaking down the Thame defence in the second half.

Instead it was the home team who turned the game on its head taking the game to their opponents from the off as Marlow struggled to gain a foothold in the game.

Jack began with a snap shot in the first minute before first Middleton then Green were forced into hurried clearance’s as the home team kept up the pressure.

Thame took the lead on 49 minutes with Ricketts slotting past Cooper from short range, the Marlow defence appealing for an offside as the ball was crossed from the right.

United gained a corner on the right which was cleared before they finally put the ball into the net, Flints cross being headed home only for the effort to be disallowed by the referee.

Sub Cuva found himself in the book after a lunging challenge before United survived a penalty appeal as the ball appeared to hit Crawford’s hand as he cleared.

Ricketts and Jacks both saw efforts saved as Thame continued to dominate the game, United seemingly unable to string any passes together.

Rowley replaced a tiring Lannaway on 75 minutes and the experienced midfielder at last began to exert some midfield control for Marlow.

A build up between Sepede and Cuva saw first Coull then Rowley see their shots blocked.

Marlow were enjoying their best spell of the half, Middleton and Davis next to try their luck with no end result.

Back came Thame and on 80 minutes, Connelly lifted the ball over Cooper and into the top corner of the goal as United failed to clear.

At 2-0 the game was as good as over although Rowley almost caught out Higgs with a speculative effort two minutes later.

Coull saw one last header sail over the bar from a Rowley cross before the referee bought the proceedings to an end.

 Manager Kevin Carvell was quoted after the game “Thame deserved their win on the day. We missed numerous chances in the first half and they made us pay. We cannot afford to have so many of our big players missing as we did today , our squad is just not big enough or strong enough but this will be addressed”

 Team .A Cooper, M Flint, R Crawford, I Green, A Lanaway, C Coull, D Buchanan, R Middleton, O Flint, R Davis, R Sepede. Subs Cuva, Rowley.

 T Cooper 6

M Flint 6

R Crawford 6

I Green 7

A Lanaway 5

C Coull 6

D Buchanan 6

R Middleton 7

O Flint 7

R Davis 5

R Sepede 5

Subs

Cuva 5

Rowley 7

MOM

Ian Green