FTL FUTBOL
Hellenic League Premier Division
UNITED HIT BACK AFTER EARLY SETBACK
Bicester Town -1 Marlow United - 3
Marlow United conceded one of the quickest goals of the season at Oxford Road Bicester when the home teams Jordan Weaver fired the home team ahead within 15 seconds.
No Marlow player touched the ball as a high pass was played into the United area.
With the sun directly in their faces the defence watched as the ball was touched on too the goal scorer who dispatched the ball into the net with the Marlow defence in disarray.
Struggling Bicester could hardly have wished for a better start as they attempted to equal the same number of points as their opponents and move away from the lower reaches of the division.
As it was United responded well from the shock of the early goal.
Playing down the slope they were the dominant side creating several chances before equalising on 14 minutes through Ollie Flint who fired home from 15 yards after Captain Chris Rowley won the ball and found the goal scorer on the edge of the area.
United continued to look the more dangerous team at times playing some neat one touch football with an Ovens cross on 16 minutes being headed back across the area by Buchanan before Bicester cleared the ball of the line.
At the other end a poor header from Wiltshire in what was another wise composed performance led to Crawford clearing the ball for a corner under pressure.
A good move from Marlow ended with Brown heading Rowley’s cross over the bar before Bowler embarked on a dangerous run down the left, his cross sailing over the goal line.
Ryan Britnell was caught out on the right as goal scorer Weaver tested Ramsey with a crisp near post shot, the Marlow keeper requiring two attempts at holding the ball.
Two minutes later the keeper made amends palming Kyberds 20 yard effort around the post.
The home team were enjoying their most productive period of the half with Ramsey again rescuing United saving at close range after Spittle created the opportunity from a short corner.
Marlow hit back, Brown losing out to keeper McNamara in a chase for an Ovens chipped pass before the same player embarked on a run from Britnell’s pass shooting wide of the far post with McNamara struggling.
Bicester’s Millward found himself through on goal on 41 minutes only for Wiltshire to retrieve the situation with a last ditch clearance.
As the half came to a close United produced one of the best moves of the game with Bowler, Brown and Buchanan combining to set up Ollie Flint, the industrious youngster firing wide as he snatched at his shot.
Istvan Godor completed the half firing in a weak shot when well placed as the home team attempted to retake the lead.
HT 1-1
Marlow went straight onto the attack as the half began, Ollie Flint’s cross being missed by Bowler.
Within seconds Rowley’s free kick found Bowler who was chopped down on the edge of the area by Kyberd who found himself in the book.
The resultant free kick was cleared to Pedley who played the ball back in to the box were full back Lambourne eventually sliced his clearance over the bar from inside the 6 yard box.
United continued too press for the lead, Brown’s long throw finding Crawford’s head and Bowler not able to reach the knock down.
Flint was then injured as he chased down a through ball and clashed with keeper McNamara.
Marlow eventually took the lead on 53 minutes but only after Bicester had a penalty appeal turned down after a shot hit a defender on the arm from close range.
United then went up field and Bowler’s pass released Flint who fired home his second goal with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, McNamara doing well to get a hand on the ball.
The away team were controlling much of the play with Buchanan, Rowley and Bowler all having attempts as Marlow played some neat football.
Godor fired wide for Bicester as they gradually forced their way back into the game, Wiltshire being forced into a clearance after a dangerous cross.
Buchanan and Crawford both contrived to miss the ball from a corner as the ball skidded across the 6 yard box before Flint once again lost out to McNamara in a chase for the ball.
On 71 minutes the same player was fouled on the edge of the area as he advanced on goal and Kyberd was rather harshly shown the red card.
United relaxed for a period as they obviously felt that the job was done and this allowed Bicester back into the game, Spittle pulling the strings in midfield as they attempted to pull back the goal.
Mark Doswell replaced Pedley on 72 minutes for his first action in a month following injury before Jonson fired wide for Bicester.
Doswell and Flint set up Buchanan on 81 minutes his shot being saved from close range.
The game continued to be an open affair with chances being created by both sides although it was the away team who created the better opportunities and it was no surprise when they finally made the game safe deep into the injury time.
Buchanan threaded a pin point pass through the Bicester defence for Lewis Brown who struck a fierce shot past McNamara and completed the scoring.
Manager Kevin Carvell was satisfied with the result saying “We recovered well from the early goal and once we took the lead I felt there was only one winner”
FT 1-3
Team
M Ramsey, L Ovens, R Britnell, R Crawford, G Wiltshire, C Rowley, D Buchanan, D Pedley, L Brown, O Flint, J Bowler
Subs
M Doswell for D Pedley 72 minutes
M Sciaraffa, A Lanaway not used
Goal scorers
Ollie Flint 14 and 53 minutes
Lewis Brown 94 minutes
Booked
C Rowley. O Flint
Scores
M Ramsey 7
L Ovens 7
R Britnell 6
R Crawford 7
G Wiltshire 7
C Rowley 7
D Buchanan 8
D Pedley 6
L Brown 7
O Flint 8
L Bowler 7
MOM
Ollie Flint