DEFENSIVE ERRORS COST UNITED DEAR

HELLENIC LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP

QUARTER FINAL

Carterton 2 Marlow United 1

For the second game running defensive errors lost Marlow a game, this defeat denying them a place in the semi final of the league cup.

With assistant manager Gary Wiltshire replacing injured keeper Carl Murray between the sticks and several players unavailable on the night it was a weakened team which took the field against an out of form Carterton.

Marlow dictated the early on playing down the slope in the first half with forwards Jon Mason and Dan Flint stretching the home defence, the former netting on 10 minutes only to be ruled off side.

Lee Ovens , playing in an unfamiliar midfield role, shot wide on 16 minutes before  finding Mason down the left, his cross just evading Flint.

Full back Ryan Britnell crossed for Ovens to again fire wide on 21 minutes.

Keeper Wiltshire was quickly of his line to collect a through ball as the home team began to gain a foothold in the game.

Their tactic of playing the early ball into the channels was beginning to trouble the United defence with King prominent in midfield.

Mason shot over the bar when well placed before Marlow gained two quick corners on the half hour.

Flint then saw keeper Domm pull of a brilliant one handed save as Marlow threatened to take the lead.

Carterton’s Bostock broke away and saw his effort blocked before Wiltshire saved a long range effort from Threthal.

HT 0-0

Marlow hardly knew what hit them as the home team snatched the lead 20 seconds into the half.

Ian Green hesitated as the ball was played into the Marlow half, allowing it to bounce in front of him and his header only found Rickey King who fired home with unerring accuracy from 20 yards giving Wiltshire no chance as the ball hit the inside of the left post and entered the net.

Carterton hit the bar on 53 minutes as Marlow looked unsettled by the goal.

Dan Flint saw his effort on 56 minutes skid across the face of the goal when well placed before they got themselves back into the game on 59 minutes with the goal of the game.

Britnell and Pedley twice exchanged passes before the former found Mason in the area, the Marlow forward placing the ball past Domm for the equaliser.

United then handed Carterton back the lead on 70 minutes with Nick Flint’s attempted back header looping over Wiltshire who could only help the ball into the goal.

Marlow refused to accept defeat as they pressed for the equaliser.

Ovens became the first player in the book for a high tackle followed by Benyon for arguing by an official whose performance left much to be desired.

Harry Pritchard replaced a tiring Pedley with 12 minutes to play and the youngster was immediately involved in the game, his forceful running stretching the Carterton defence.

Dan Flint with a shot saved and Doswell over the bar kept the pressure on the home team before Pritchard saw his effort saved.

Pritchard was then involved in a penalty appeal as he attempted to turn and shoot from a throw on the right he was felled from behind before the defender cleared the ball over the goal line.

To rub salt into the wound the official ignored the tackle and then awarded a goal kick!

For Carterton Durdin fired over as they pressed in the closing stages before the referee bought proceedings to an end.

FT 1-2

Team

Wiltshire, Benyon , Green, N Flint, Britnell, Ovens, Middleton, Doswell, Pedley, D Flint, Mason.

Subs

H Pritchard for D Pedley 78 minutes

L Brown for R Middleton 86 minutes

Goal

Jon Mason 59 minutes

Booked

L Ovens

S Benyon

Scores

G Wiltshire  7

S Benyon  6

I green  6

N Flint  6

R Britnell  7

L Ovens  6

R Middleton  6

M Doswell  7

D Pedley  7

D Flint  7

J Mason  7

 Man of the Match

RYAN BRITNELL