READING EVENING POST SENIOR CUP

1st Round 

UNITED EASE THROUGH TO NEXT ROUND

WEST READING - 2 MARLOW UNITED - 3

(At Wilks Park)

Marlow eased through to the next round of the Reading Senior Cup defeating a brave West Reading team by 3 goals to 2 at Wilks Park.

United began their annual assault on the cup competition with eyes firmly fixed on the Madejski Stadium in May against a determined Reading side who forfeited home advantage to allow the tie to be completed.

The Berkshire team more than matched their Hellenic League opponents with Coyle proving to be a real handful throughout the game.

Reading took the lead on 11 minutes when Coyle received a long pass deep in the United half and with indecision amongst Crawford and Flint the Reading players snap shot deceived a static Cooper and ended up in the back of the net off the left hand post.

United were clearly rattled by the Reading team who tackled and harried their opponents at every opportunity.

Marlow’s play lacked the fluidity of Saturdays performance and it took until the 28th minute  to draw level, James Flint scoring from close range with Sepede crossing from a Lewis free kick.

Having gone ahead Marlow took the lead three minutes later when a Lewis corner was cleared to Filmore who fired home from 15 yards.

Reading refused to sit back and Coyle, Maguire and Mathews tested the Marlow defence.

 Karl Lewis scored a debut goal direct from a free kick on the left on 43 minutes to give the home team a two goal and ultimately winning lead.

 Half Time 3-1

 Marlow began the second half determined to dispatch their brave opponents, dominating possession and creating numerous chances.

Pedley, Flint and Lewis all had chances to increase the lead, Flint having the ball in the net twice only to be ruled offside on both occasions.

The same player missed a glorious opportunity hitting the post from close range and then Pedley inexplicably shot wide when a simple pass would have set up two unmarked players in the six yard box.

By now the game should have been over but with twenty minutes left Reading scored a second, Phoby heading home a corner to set up a tense finale.

In fairness to United they continued to control the game, Lewis and West both having chances to score.

Coyle gave Reading a glimmer of hope in the last minute but his shot flew over the bar allowing United to progress one step nearer the Madejski dream.

 1) A Cooper 6

2) B Filmore 7

3) D Prasol 6

4) M Flint  7

5) R Crawford 6

6) K Lewis 7

7) R Davis 6

8) D Pedley 7

9) R Sepede 6

10) J Flint 7

11) A West 6

Subs

W Murphy 6

 MOM

Ben Filmore