CRUCIAL DECISIONS COST UNITED DEARLY
FA Cup preliminary round
Beaconsfield SYCOB 1 Marlow United 0
Marlow United created yet another milestone in an already historic season for the Thames side minnows with this first ever competitive game against a level 4 team in the shape of in form Beaconsfield SYCOB.
Beaconsfield kicked of this FA Cup tie at the impressive Holloway’s Park stadium on a beautiful sunny day, ideal weather for the 102 spectators but probably not for the players on one of the warmest days of this miserable English summer.
The away team created the first threat when James Flint’s cross was met by a West header which was cleared by Beaconsfield.
Craig O’Conner volleyed over on 6 minutes as the home team began to dictate the early play, from a free kick awarded against Heywood Swift’s shot bought a sharp save from keeper Murray.
United replied with Britnell’s free kick being met by Filmore the shot deflecting for a corner.
United were finding it difficult to gain a foothold in the game, tending to opt for the long ball rather than keeping possession.
This played into their opponent’s hands with neither Lewis Brown or James Flint able to trouble the towering centre backs Dunlop and Brent as the ball was continually played in the air.
When the Hellenic side kept the ball on the floor they looked a much better proposition as was the case on 19 minutes when a move involving Heywood, Brown and Nick Flint ended with James Flint firing in a dangerous cross.
Beaconsfield almost snatched the lead a minute later when Dell’s free kick was headed back across the area by Dunlop where O’Connor put the ball over the bar.
Murray was in action again holding a near post cross before the home teams pressure paid off , taking the lead on 23 minutes.
The dangerous Swift accepted a return pass on the edge of the area and skipped past two challenges before firing a low shot past keeper Murray.
At this stage a further goal would have killed of the tie and efforts from Jeffries, scorer Swift and Godwin threatened to settle the game. Ben Filmore was booked for a late tackle on 29 minutes as United had difficulty in containing the home team.
That they did was a credit to the spirit within the team and gradually they got back into the game, Nick Flint testing keeper Hart on 39 minutes.
Jones became the first home player in the book as United finished the half with a quick break before Green came to the rescue, clearing under pressure as Beaconsfield almost caught the United defence napping.
HT 1-0
Marlow began the half with a 4-4-2 formation as they sought an equaliser and with the words of wisdom from the management team still fresh in their minds they set about taking the game to their opponents.
Playing the ball through midfield Marlow proved a much stiffer proposition immediately applying pressure on the home defence.
A slick move starting with Britnell and involving Doswell and James Flint ended with Brown being foiled by keeper Hart.
Seconds later the incident which probably decided the fate of the tie occurred when a cross by Brown was handled in the area by Dunlop and with the whole United contingent appealing for a penalty the referee waved play on much to the chagrin of the away team.
A shot by O’Conner was saved by Murray but United were not to be denied as Brown yet again, James Flint and a Doswell free kick all threatened the home goal.
Swaysland and O’Connor both had efforts on goal for Beaconsfield before the home team made a double substitution on 57 minutes in an effort to wrest control from United.
They should have snatched a second goal when Dell’s corner was fired over by Dunlop from under the crossbar when it appeared easier to score.
United subbed West with Gary Wiltshire to add some weight to the attack on 68 minutes and an injury to Doswell 5 minutes later saw Dan Flint enter the fray.
A dangerous James Flint cross was cleared by Duncan followed by a Britnell free kick being met by Dan Flint with James Flint just unable to reach the ball as it ran across the area.
O’Connor and Nick Flint found themselves in the book after an altercation, the Beaconsfield man could count himself fortunate not to receive a second card after a dangerous lunge on keeper Murray minutes later.
Marlow continued to look for the equaliser, long throws from Brown causing the Beaconsfield back for some discomfort, Nick Flint firing over from 18 yards from the second of these.
Scott Benyon replaced the injured Lee Ovens on 88 minutes before United fell foul of a second contentious decision.
Ben Filmore’s free kick was headed across the area by Wiltshire , the ball being fired home from the left by James Flint.
Much to the dismay of the away side the linesman flagged for offside, not against the scorer but another player in the box.
Murray then pulled of a superb save to deny Swaysland in injury time as Beaconsfield ran out time with two corners.
FT 1-0
Unable to hide his disappointment after the game Marlow manager Kevin Carvell said “I am proud of the team, we played exceptionally well in the second half when all the important decisions went against us. Yet again the team has showed that they belong at this level”
Team.
C Murray, L Ovens, R Britnell, I Green, T Heywood( Capt.) B Filmore,
N Flint, M Doswell, L Brown, J Flint, A West,
Subs
G Wiltshire for A West 68 mins
D flint for M Doswell 73 mins
S Benyon for L Ovens 88 mins
Scores
C Murray 8 exceptional
L Ovens 7 Dependable as ever
R Britnell 7 Improved as game went on
I Green 7 Worked hard
T Heywood 8 Defended well
B Filmore 7 hardworking performance
N Flint 7 as above
M Doswell 7 as above
L Brown 7 constant menace
J Flint 7 always a threat
A West 7 worked hard
Subs
G Wiltshire 7 Added a physical presence
D Flint 7 straight into the action
S Benyon
MOM
C Murray