SECOND HALF BLITZ RESCUES MARLOW
FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC
PREMIER DIVISION
Marlow United 5 Fairford Town 3
Marlow took a giant step toward Premier Division safety with a second half blitz to secure three points against Fairford Town.
With rivals Bicester and Shrivenham both losing and Abingdon without a game United took advantage to move out of the bottom four and ensure that their destiny is definitely in their own hands.
That they fought back from conceding two goals in the first five minutes of the game speaks volumes for the spirit of the team in contrast to Tuesday night’s abysmal defeat at the hands of Wantage, although the Oxfordshire team returned the favour by defeating rivals Shrivenham.
Marlow started brightly enough, taking the game to Fairford in the early stages only to find themselves a goal down on 4 minutes as Pete Walker seized on indecision in the United back four to collect a through ball and guide his shot past a keeper Ramsey with the defence static.
Worse was to follow a minute later as Laborieux rose to head home a corner from the United left completely unopposed.
Marlow replied with Nicol heading wide a Mason free kick and Dickens seeing his shot from a second Mason free kick saved by keeper Roncinsky.
A corner on the right saw a scramble in the area before Fairford cleared the ball as the home team attempted to open their account.
Marlow were playing attacking football with John Mason putting his previous poor display behind him by instigating many of the Marlow attacks.
On 13 minutes his run and shot saw the ball saved with Ovens picking up the ball and seeing his cross skid across the area.
Although United were controlling much of the possession they looked suspect to the quick breaks of Fairford with both Walker and Griffiths stretching the central pairing of Green and Benyon.
Mason saw a shot cleared of the line at one end with Laborieux heading just over the bar at the other before Scot Webb, returning to the Marlow fold after a four month absence; saw his cross collected by the keeper.
Just as it appeared that the home team would end the half goal less they struck with an excellent effort on 45 minutes.
Andrew Nicol played a through ball to Brown, he ran into the area before releasing the ball into the path of the advancing Webb who made no mistake from 8 yards.
HT
1-2
Marlow were straight onto the offence at the start of the second half Ovens seeing his cross spilt by Roncinski.
Walker broke through at the other end, his cross evading his team mates before Laborieux saved Fairford with a last ditch tackle on Nicol.
Marlow’s pressure eventually told as they equalised on 59 minutes with another well worked goal involving Mason and Brown exchanging passes before Mason crossed for Scot Benyon to head home.
United took the lead for the first time three minutes later, Mason receiving the ball from a free kick awarded after the same player had been tripped, his accurate cross from the right being guided home by Nicol from close range.
That lead lasted less than two minutes when a Fairford free kick, awarded against Ovens, hit the Marlow cross bar and despite Ramsey twice saving close range efforts from the rebound he was eventually beaten by Will King from 6 yards.
Despite this set back Marlow continued to press their opponents and from a corner awarded on 73 minutes Adam Dickens kick eventually arrived at the feet of Lewis Brown who with his back to goal scored with an overhead kick to restore United’s advantage.
Doswell replaced Benyon and Wiltshire replaced Filmore as Marlow attempted to freshen up the defence and midfield and they continued to look the more likely to score.
The game was finally made safe on 90 minutes when Dickens was bought down in the area following a mazy run, Mason capping his afternoon by scoring from the spot.
Marlow now travel to Harrow on the Hill on bank holiday Monday where a win against the bottom team should seal their Premier Division status for another season.
FT 5-3
Team
Ramsey, Ovens, Benyon, Green, Britnell, Mason, Webb, Dickens, Filmore, Brown, Nicol
Subs
M Doswell for S Benyon
G Wiltshire for B Filmore
Bookings
M Ramsey
Goals
Scot Webb 45 minutes
Scot Benyon 59 minutes
Andrew Nicol 62 minutes
Lewis Brown 73 minutes
John Mason 90 minutes (pen)
Scores
M Ramsey 6
L Ovens 7
S Benyon 7
I Green 6
R Britnell 7
J Mason 8
S Webb 7
A Dickens 6
B Filmore 7
L Brown 7
A Nicol 7
Subs
M Doswell 6
G Wiltshire 6
Man of the Match
JON MASON