Reading Evening Post Senior Cup Final

HISTORY MAKERS

Madejski Stadium, Tuesday 6^th May

Marlow United -1 Westwood United- 0

Marlow United entered the history books with the winning of the Reading Senior Cup becoming the first team to capture the Wycombe, Maidenhead and Reading Senior Trophies.

At the same time they laid to rest the jinx, which had seen the club lose four previous finals at the home of Reading FC.

United knew that they would have a difficult game against a team who had won the Reading Senior League on the previous Saturday, thrashing Highmoor by five goals in the process, the same Highmoor who put five goals past Marlow in last seasons final.

Manager Kevin Carvell had the unenviable task of disappointing four of his squad of twenty players being able to name a starting eleven plus five subs.

United kicked off the game and soon found themselves under pressure as the Reading team took the early initiative.

Westwood’s Dowling’s free kick from around 25 yards went out for a goal kick in the first minute.

United had a cross from Bowler cleared on 4 minutes as neither side were able to gain the ascendancy although Williamson for Westwood embarked on a dangerous run from deep within his own half only to see his cross cleared.

United gained the first corner of the game on 14 minutes, Bowlers kick being returned into the area by Matt Flint but straight into keeper Browns grasp.

As in previous finals Marlow were struggling to replicate there league form on the big stage and it was their Reading League opponents who were showing more urgency repeatedly winning the loose ball and unsettling their Hellenic League opponents.

On 20 minutes Evans crossed a dangerous ball into the United area which was hastily cleared and Dowling struck two free kicks goal ward in the space of two minutes.

Marlow struck back with captain Heywood releasing Lewis Brown in the area only for the Marlow forward to lose out in the challenge for the ball.

A Neale cross was cleared for a corner by Sciaraffa with Cooper dropping the subsequent kick only for Matt Flint to coolly head the ball back to the Marlow custodian.

At this stage Marlow were just not able to gain a decent foothold in the game with neither the forwards or midfield showing any kind of form.

It was only the tenacity of the back four which was keeping the game scoreless and they had to be alert in the 32^nd minute as Williamson again ran at the defence only to be foiled by Crawford.

It was Williamson who almost snatched the lead on 35 minutes as his shot skidded wide of the left post having travelled across the six yard box.

Then on 41 minutes United created the best chance of the half with Coopers throw finding Bowler. His cross found an unmarked Lewis Brown in the six yard box and with just the keeper to beat the Marlow man skewed his shot wide and the chance was gone.

Cooper was again in action collecting the ball from the on rushing Evans as the half drew to a close, Callum Coull becoming the first player to be booked for dissent.

 HT 0-0

 Westwood kicked off the second half but it was United who launched the first serious attack only to be pulled back for a free kick against them.

Westwood put the Marlow back four under serious pressure with centre half Green heading on a long throw from the left. Middleton cleared the loose ball but only to Dowling who fired wide.

It was the Bucks team who were gradually gaining the upper hand as the team responded to their managers half time dressing down.

The whole team looked sharper as they began to run proceedings. Ollie Flint and Jason Bowler were stretching Westwood’s defence and it was Flint who found his brother James who fired over.

Next it was James Flint who found Bowler but his effort was cleared.

Westwood replied with a Bustin cross from the left gaining a corner on the right that was cleared.

James Flint combined with Bowler who set up Lewis Brown, the latter’s shot going wide as the game at last had an open feel to it.

United kept up the pressure on their opponents with Flint and Brown both having efforts saved whilst at the other end Crawford cleared from Tufnell for a corner.

From the kick Bowler broke clear only to be fouled by Williamson.

Bowler then fired a 35 yard free kick which was saved by keeper Brown.

On 60 minutes Marlow carved open the Westwood defence with Lewis Brown’s through ball releasing James Flint on goal.

Flint’s poor first touch allowed Brown the opportunity to collect the ball, injuring the Marlow forward in the process.

The two forwards combined again as they continued to test the Westwood defence before Bustin fired over for Westwood when well placed.

Buchanan replaced Coull as United attempted to gain the all important first goal.

The lead finally arrived on 84 minutes when a cross from the right found defender Rob Crawford on the left of the area. Although marked by two defenders Crawford played the ball back into the area over the head of Green where an unmarked Lewis Brown headed the ball wide of Keeper Brown and into the net.

A minute later James Flint should have doubled that lead as he raced clear only for the impressive Williamson to save his team with a last ditch tackle.

Westwood bought on Wilmot and Humphreys as they attempted to rescue the situation with Marlow replacing James Flint with Gary Wiltshire and Ross Middleton with Ben Filmore.

It was Filmore who almost set up the second goal, winning a loose ball in midfield his pass found Lewis Brown who in turn fed Wiltshire the Marlow substitute’s shot being deflected for a corner.

Westwood threw men forward in desperation as the referee allowed an inexplicable 8 minutes of extra time but to no avail.

It was to be Marlow’s night after four previous disappointments at the Madejski and the players and management showed their delight at the finish.

FT 1-0

After match quotes.

Matt Flint. I can retire a happy man after this.

Mark Sciaraffa.  Over the moon, ( Honest)

Tristan Heywood. I’m a proud man lifting the cup for the first time.

Lewis Brown. Best moment of my football career so far.

Rob Crawford. I was aiming for Lewis when I crossed that ball. (really)

Kevin Carvell.  We got our just desserts. We deserved the win.

Team

A Cooper, M Flint, R Crawford, T Heywood, M Sciaraffa, O Flint, R Middleton, C Coull, J Bowler, L Brown, James Flint,  Subs. G Wiltshire, D Buchanan, Ben Filmore.

Scores

Cooper        7  dealt with everything thrown at him

M Flint         7 Stood firm through out.

M Sciaraffa  7  Usual cool defending

R Crawford  8  Old head on young shoulders

T Heywood   8 Usual composure

O Flint           7  surging second half

C Coull          6  Found the going tough

R Middleton   7  Good second half

J Bowler         7  As above

J Flint             7 Ran and ran

L Brown          7  Scored!

Subs

D Buchanan    6

G Wiltshire      6

B Filmore         6

 MOM

ROB CRAWFORD