READING SENIOR CUP

QUARTER FINAL

UNITED SQUEEZE THROUGH

Marlow United - 2 Woodcote Stoke Row -1

Marlow’s dream of a promotion and cup winning double lives on after this hard fought replayed quarterfinal against supposedly inferior opposition.

 Woodcote may be struggling at the bottom of the Reading Senior League but for the second time they made their Hellenic League opponents battle all the way before United could claim their semi final place.

In truth the home side should have settled a scrappy game in the first 45 minutes such was there domination during that time.

Marlow gained a total of nine corners during that time to Woodcotes one although they created little or no chances from any of them.

The home team were quickly into their stride intent on not allowing Woodcote the luxury of a two-goal lead as in the previous game.

The industrious Ollie Flint took the first of those corners after one minute but as on many other occasions only found the side netting in what turned out to be a frustrating afternoon for the home supporters in a decent crowd.

United continued to pressure the Woodcote defence, Buchanan threading a through ball to James Flint who was unable to control the pass as it ran through to Small in the away goal.

Woodcote suffered an early setback with Migley being replaced by Holder on 4 minutes after suffering an injury in a challenge with James Flint.

Adam North saw his effort from Rowley’s free kick saved as United continued to dominate proceedings.

Jordan cut a lonely figure up front for the away team as they found themselves unable to stem the United pressure.

Rowley then found himself in the notebook for a raised arm as he challenged for the ball on 16 minutes.

It took until the 22nd minute for home keeper Cooper to be tested, easily catching a cross from Woodcote’s only corner of the half.

For all their possession the home team were finding it difficult to string any passes together or to create any decent chances.

It took until the 40^th minute before a James Flint header from Buchanan’s corner skimmed off the bar.

United finally took the lead in the 4^th minute of injury time with an excellent goal from Buchanan.

A cross from the right found Lewis Brown on the left of the 6 yard box. His header lacked any real power and was cleared to the eventual scorer who picked his spot from 15 yards with unerring accuracy.

HT 1-0

United began the half intent on sealing the tie.

Ollie Flint saw his effort saved in the first minute before the same player combined with Brown and Coull, the latter’s shot hitting the bar.

An excellent move then saw Buchanan through on goal  his weak effort  being collected by Small.

A long ball by Wiltshire, on as a sub for the injured Heywood, found James Flint in space only for the forward to be ruled off side.

Brown then crossed the ball for Rowley to fire high and wide when well placed.

On 61 minutes Woodcote stunned the home team with an equaliser out of the blue.

A long ball was only partially cleared by the United defence and as the clearance arrived at the feet of Marc Edward-Smith he looked up and picked his spot from 25 yards sending the ball over a stranded Cooper.

Buoyed by this success the Reading League side grew in confidence and Dillon saw his effort sail wide.

The lead was short lived however as on 67 minutes a floated free kick from Rowley was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Holder to restore Marlow’s lead.

Far from being deflated Woodcote continued to trouble their opponents, Cooper twice having to be alert and clear through balls.

Middleton replaced Buchanan and Sepede Brown as Marlow attempted to regain the ascendancy.

Dillon had probably Woodcote’s best chance of an equaliser firing over from 6 yards as United saw out the final minutes of the game to earn yet another semi final place and hopefully a place in the final.

Manager Kevin Carvell was disappointed with the teams display “Not our best display by any means particularly after our last two games in which we were excellent. We will need to up our performance to ensure we reach the final”

 Team

A Cooper, B Filmore, T Heywood, R Crawford, A North, C Coull, C Rowley, D Buchanan, O Flint, L Brown, J Flint. Subs G Wiltshire, R Sepede, R Middleton.

A Cooper  6

B Filmore  7

T Heywood  7

R Crawford  6

A North  6

C Coull  6

C Rowley  6

D Buchanan  7

O Flint  6

 L Brown  6

J  Flint  6

Subs

G Wiltshire  7

R Middleton  6

R Sepede  6

 MOM

BEN FILMORE