UP AND RUNNING!

FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC

PREMIER DIVISION

Marlow United - 2 Fairford Town - 1 

Marlow grabbed their first points of the season in this their opening home league fixture with a hard fought but deserved win against an organised and busy Fairford side in a game marred by two dismissals, one from each side, for violent conduct as the game drew to a close.

The home team made several changes from Saturdays FA Cup defeat with captain Tristan Heywood amongst others absent resulting in manager Kevin Carvell introducing three new personnel and a further three positional changes.

Fairford dominated the early stages of the game and it required a lunging block from full back Greg Corbett to clear a King cross in the first minute.

Lee Ovens, playing in an unaccustomed centre half position, was finding Snook a handful at this stage of the game as the home team looked lethargic in the face of Fairford’s busier style.

It took until the twelve minute before United tested keeper Morse with Nichol forcing a save and Ollie Flint firing wide as he followed up.

Fairford’s captain Boucher fired a free kick over following a foul by Middleton a minute later before Marlow won their first corner of the game which Mason wasted.

Keeper Ramsey, Marlow’s third custodian in three games, called for a through ball which he was unable to collect, his defence rescuing him by clearing.

Marlow best chance fell to Paget who mishit Nichol’s lay off in the area on 24 minutes as the home team began to grow in confidence before Nichol fired in a testing 30 yard effort.

With Mason and Ollie Flint probing down the flanks it was the home team who finished the half the stronger of the two teams although King saw his header from a corner go wide on 41 minutes.

Marlow had the last word with Pedley just unable to reach Masons through ball a minute later.

HT

0-0

Fairford gained an early corner off Corbett with Nick Flint, who was having an excellent game in the centre of the defence, clearing.

Ross Middleton was forced into clearing a through ball as Fairford applied early pressure and Marlow made their first substitution on the hour as a weary Middleton, playing his first game of the season, was replaced by Scot Webb.

Three minutes later and the home team took the lead as Ramsey’s throw found Paget who in turn found Mason.

The diminutive forward’s through ball was picked up by Ollie Flint who drove into the area before firing the ball across keeper Morse into the left hand corner of the net.

Marlow now looked to double their lead with Webb’s cross being met by Mason, Nichol being unable to reach the ball as it flew across the area.

Mason then embarked on a run beating two defenders before firing wide before Fairford’s Scrivens cross was fired over by Bailey.

Marlow replaced Pedley with Liam Doyle on 70 minutes and a minute later a move involving Ollie Flint and Nichol saw Webb’s volley superbly saved by Morse as he dived high to his left to turn away a certain goal.

Nichol became the home team’s first booking following a reckless challenge on the keeper, this after they both had exchanged ‘pleasantries’ a few minutes earlier.

Marlow still looked the most likely team to score when they were hit by a sucker punch on 78 minutes as Stratford ran unchallenged to the bye line and his cross was fired home from close range by Bailey.

Marlow saw Ollie Flint and Lee Ovens enter the ref’s note book as the temperature of the game rose with angry words being exchanged after several clashes.

Marlow retook the lead on 83 minutes as Ollie Flint was blocked in the area as he picked up Nicholls flick and the referee awarded a disputed penalty.

Jon Mason placed the kick down the middle to restore the one goal lead.

Doyle saw his header from a corner sail wide as the game appeared to be moving to a home win before it exploded on 89 minutes.

A long kick from Ramsey resulted in a Marlow corner and as the ball was cleared to the right touchline full back Ryan Britnell appeared to be fouled from behind as he shielded the ball from Fairford’s Stratford.

 The players squared up to each other with the resulting altercation leaving the Fairford player prone and both players dismissed from the pitch after the referee consulted his assistant.

Shortly after the official blew for full time although home team celebrations were muted with the earlier incident still fresh in the mind.

FT

2-1

Team

Ramsey, Corbett, Britnell, Ovens, N Flint, Middleton, O Flint, Paget, Nichol, Mason, Pedley.

Subs

Scot Webb for Ross Middleton 60 minutes

Liam Doyle for Dan Pedley 70 minutes

Scorers

Ollie Flint 63 minutes

Jon Mason 83 minutes (pen)

Bookings

Ollie Flint

Lee Ovens

Andy Nichol

Ryan Britnell (red card)

Scores

M Ramsey  6

G Corbett  6

R Britnell  6

L Ovens  7

N Flint  8

R Middleton  6

O Flint  8

C Paget  7

A Nichol  6

J Mason  7

D Pedley  6

Subs

S Webb  7

L Doyle  6

Man of the Match

OLLIE FLINT