SPORT ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE

DIVISION ONE EAST

LUCKY TO GET NIL!!

WOKINGHAM – 2 MARLOW UNITED - 0

Marlow fell to only their third league defeat of the season as Wokingham outplayed their lofty rivals, the only surprise of the afternoon being the final score.

It could easily have been four or five as the hosts hit the woodwork three times and outplayed their opponents throughout the 90 minutes.

Playing a brand of fast moving football a youthful Wokingham side swept aside a lethargic United team of whom only three or four players could hold their heads high at the end of the game.

There was no sign of things to come as the lively Lewis Brown was played through by Mat Flint in the fourth minute.

Two minutes later Wokingham gave a warning of things to come as James Wise crashed a shot from 20 yards against the bar with Cooper well beaten.

Three minutes later United were in trouble again, Whiting forcing a good save from Cooper with Wise firing over from the rebound.

The home team were dominating possession with their midfield completely overwhelming their opponents. Marlow’s most dangerous moments, which were few and far between, came from Brown and Bowler who found some success on the left of midfield.

It was another long ball from Flint that released Brown on 24 minutes only for keeper Harris to beat the Marlow forward to the ball.

Marlow were probably enjoying their most productive period of the game and might even have stolen the lead two minutes later when a five man move, a rarity in itself, resulted in a corner on the left. From Bowler’s kick Brown (who else) out jumped the Wokingham defence only to see the ball cleared off the line.

Back came the home side hitting the woodwork for the second time through Callan as they quickly counter attacked.

Captain Tristan Heywood came to United’s rescue with a last ditch tackle as Harris bore down on goal and on 38 minutes Harris rattled the bar again from 18 yards.

The half ended with the Satsuma’s yet again on the attack, Lee’s shot bringing out an excellent save from Cooper.

 HT 0-0

 If the away team hoped for a change of fortune in the second half they were sadly mistaken as Wokingham carried on were they left off, taking the game to their opponents,

Ben Filmore, who was having a torrid time at left back, was booked for a two footed tackle in the first minute, and a minute later Wokingham gained their first corner of the half with the ball being headed over.

The home teams Wise followed Filmore into the book as he bought down Pedley from behind.

Cooper was back in action saving a shot from close range, Bellis firing over from the resultant corner.

That only delayed the inevitable and the home team deservedly took the lead on 58 minutes as Filmore lost the ball on the left and from the resultant cross Nick Bateman swept the ball home from close range with the United defence in disarray.

Cooper was in action 60 seconds later saving at the feet of Lee as the home team threatened to swamp United.

In an effort to stem the tide United bought on Rob Crawford and Ollie Flint, replacing the ineffectual Buchanan and Ryan.

Heywood was again the saviour clearing from Lee as he was about to score. The Wokingham forward only had to wait two minutes later to celebrate as he fired home the second goal following a cross from the left on 65 minutes.

2-0 was a more accurate reflection of the game with Marlow unable to test the home defence with hardly a shot during the whole of the second period.

Vinnie Cuva replaced a subdued Middleton as Cooper was again called into action with an excellent save.

Ollie Flint was cautioned for a dangerous tackle in a rare United attack and shortly after a quick free kick found Bowler in space, his low cross being hurriedly cleared as Marlow at last stretched the home defence.

As the game petered out Wise fired over from 15 yards and in a last reckless moment Gary Wiltshire was shown the red card for an atrocious two footed tackle, only his opponent’s quick evasive action saving himself from a potential serious injury.

It was an action born out of frustration with the second placed team being completely outplayed by Wokingham who thoroughly deserved the win.

Manager Kevin Carvell commented after the game “We were lucky to get nil, Wokingham were streets ahead throughout the game. Let’s hope that was a one off”

A Cooper                   7   several excellent saves

M Flint                         6   kept on battling

Filmore                       4   Poor game

G Wiltshire                 5  ineffectual

T Heywood                 7   A lone defender at times

D Pedley                    5   ineffectual

D Buchanan               4   as above

R Middleton              4 As above

J Bowler                     6   Some dangerous moments

R Davis                      4   ineffectual

L Brown                      7   always a threat

 Subs

O Flint                          6

R Crawford                 6

V Cuva                        5

MOM

A Cooper