MARLOW THROUGH TO QUARTER FINALS

HPL FLOODLIT CUP

Marlow United - 3 Bicester Town - 1

Marlow progressed into the quarter final of the floodlit cup with a competent 3-1 win over struggling Bicester Town in what would be best called a Scruffy game.

The Oxfordshire team found themselves caught in a traffic jam on the M40 and as a result the game kicked off at 8.15 pm.

They probably wished they hadn’t arrived as Marlow took an early lead when Brown headed home on 7 minutes following a flowing move involving Pedley, Doswell, and Cuva, the latter’s cross being met by Brown from around 6 yards.

The speed of the Marlow front two of Brown and James Flint troubled the Bicester back four throughout the game with Flint particularly having an excellent game even if his exuberance at times threatened to see him dismissed after receiving an early booking.

Flint it was who doubled United’s lead on 22 minutes when he seized on a mistake by Bicester’s Johnson on the half way line and ran on to slot the ball past keeper McNamara.

For Bicester Godor hit the post but overall it was the home team who were creating the chances and at half time Marlow could well have gone in with double the lead.

HT 2-0

The break did nothing to improve the overall standard of the game which continued to disappoint with neither side able to string any passes together.

Marlow’s Green was replaced by Nick Flint with a recurrence of a thigh injury on 53 minutes and again it was James Flint who caught the eye his pace and enthusiasm causing Bicester no end of problems.

Ross Middleton made a welcome return to Marlow colours when he replaced Dan Pedley on 70 minutes and he led a quick break from a corner which resulted in Flint failing to reach his through ball.

A poor pass from Ben Filmore allowed Williams to cross a ball from the left on 81 minutes and Marlow’s Rob  Crawford somehow managed to knock the ball past Ramsey at the near post to give Bicester an unlikely life line.

Flint made sure they never took it though receiving a through ball from Lewis Brown and again firing past McNamara to restore Marlow’s two goal advantage on 87 minutes.

The same player was through on goal in the last minute but this time failed to find the target and the game finished with Marlow recording a 3-1 win.

United join a strong line up in the last eight with Witney, Hungerford, Highworth, Kidlington and Binfield, 4-1 victors over Flackwell Heath, all in the hat for the draw.

FT 3-1

Team

M Ramsey, L Ovens, A Lanaway, I Green, R Crawford, V Cuva, B Filmore, M Doswell, D Pedley, J Flint, L Brown

Subs

Nick Flint for Ian Green 53 minutes

Scot Benyon for L Ovens  65 minutes

Ross Middleton for Dan Pedley  70 minutes

Goals

Lewis Brown 7 minutes

James Flint 22 and 87 minutes

Scores

M Ramsey  6

L Ovens  6

A Lanaway  6

I Green  6

R Crawford  5

V Cuva  6

B Filmore  5

M Doswell  7

D Pedley  6

J Flint  8

L Brown  7

Man of the Match

JAMES FLINT