FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
POINTS HEAD WEST
Marlow United - 0 Almondsbury Town - 4
Marlow’s recent league revival, four wins in their last five games, was bought to an emphatic end at the hands of an impressive Almondsbury team who ran out convincing winners at Wilks Park.
The Bristol based team just missed out on the championship by goal difference last season and results this season had been mixed as they attempt to go one better giving United the hope of gaining a result .
On this performance though they will not be far away again as they simply over powered the home team who were unable to match the work rate of the Almonds.
The fact that Ollie Flint needlessly got him self sent of on 45 minutes only compounded Marlow’s misery being two down as they were at the time.
United, buoyed by Tuesday’s derby defeat of Flackwell Heath, bought back James Flint into the attack but suffered a setback when centre half Rob Crawford strained his groin in the warm up and he was replaced by Nick Flint.
Almondsbury kicked off and immediately attacked the home team.
A free kick was collected by keeper Ramsey United replying with a corner on the left.
The away team should have taken the lead on 5 minutes as a cross from the left by Davis was hit wide by Fowler from 2 yards.
That only delayed the opening goal by a minute as speedy left winger Cia skipped past Ovens and fired the ball under the dive of Ramsey into the corner of the net.
Marlow’s midfields were simply being over run at this stage with the ball being given away under pressure from the away team.
On 9 minutes a pass was intercepted and Andrews fired in a 30 yard shot wide with Ramsey off his line.
On twenty minutes Marlow finally tested Almondsbury custodian John, Buchanan forcing a save after good work by Rowley and Green.
The Almonds replied with Cia’s cross being met by Davis, Ramsey atoning for his earlier error with a full length save pushing the shot around the post.
Cia was allowed another attempt on goal after indecision by Rowley and Green allowed the winger the opportunity as Almondsbury attempted to improve their lead.
The fact that they didn’t allowed Marlow the opportunity to gain a foothold in the game and they enjoyed a greater share of the possession and began to create some half chances themselves.
On 27 minutes Ollie Flint’s cross found the head of Doswell, his flick evading the on rushing Buchanan and going for a corner.
Brown then forced John into a save after being released by Rowley before James Flint found him self in the book for a tackle on Cia.
Almondsbury’s Smith followed Flint into the book following a rash challenge from behind on the same player as the home team looked to draw level, Rowley’s subsequent free kick being saved by John.
A Davis shot hit the post after a quick Almondsbury break on 39 minutes before Britnell needlessly got booked for arguing with the referee.
Green rescued the home team on 43 minutes, his last ditch tackle robbing Kear in the area and from the corner the away team increased their lead.
Andrews’s corner was cleared to Pope; he crossed a dangerous ball back into the area where an unmarked Cole headed across Ramsey and into the goal.
Marlow responded immediately with Doswell and Rowley both having efforts before the game was virtually decided with the dismissal of Ollie Flint who retaliated after being goaded by keeper John, his push on the keeper receiving the red card.
HT 0-2
The second half proved to be an anti climax with United vainly attempting to retrieve something from the game and Almondsbury content to preserve their lead adding two goals in the process as they made their numerical advantage count in the process.
Pope became the second away player in the book for arguing on 48 minutes before Rowley forced a corner for Marlow.
The third goal arrived on 58 minutes as Kear collected a ball over the top of the Marlow defence and lobbed a stranded Ramsey from 25 yards.
The away team completed the scoring on 67 minutes with a cross from the left being guided home by substitute Forward for the 4th goal.
United introduced Pedley and Filmore for Ovens and Doswell three minutes later but not before United’s Brown had created a chance for James Flint, his jinking run allowing Flint the shot which was blocked at close range.
Credit to the home team they continued to look for a consolation goal and a flowing move involving Rowley and Buchanan ended when Britnell should have found a forward when free on the left his harmless cross being collected by John.
Marlow ended the game on the front foot Brown’s shot forcing a corner before the referee ended the proceedings.
A disappointed Marlow manager Kevin Carvell said after the game “No complaints we were beaten by a superior team. For some reason we were just flat from the outset today, we allowed them to dictate the game from the start. Probably a reaction from Tuesdays result”
FT 0-4
Team
M Ramsey, L Ovens, R Britnell, N Flint, I Green, D Buchanan, M Doswell, C Rowley, O Flint, L Brown J Flint.
Subs
D Pedley for Lee Ovens 70 mins
B Filmore for M Doswell 70 mins
Booked
Ryan Britnell
James Flint
Sent off
Ollie Flint
Scores
M Ramsey 5
L Ovens 5
R Britnell 5
N Flint 5
I Green 5
D Buchanan 6
M Doswell 5
C Rowley 5
O Flint 5
L Brown 6
J Flint 6
Subs
D Pedley 6
B Filmore 6
MOM
Doug Buchanan