FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC LEAGUE
PREMIER DIVISION
DERBY DELIGHT FOR UNITED
Flackwell Heath - 2 Marlow United - 3
James Flint sealed a deserved win for Marlow United, rising to head home Mark Doswell’s pin point cross from the right on 85 minutes and finally killing of a brave fight back from a Flackwell Heath team who had been reduced to ten men with the dismissal of Richard Glynn on 64 minutes.
United had taken a two goal lead in an entertaining first 45 minutes only to be pegged back by a determined home team who were desperate not to lose to their tenants in this the first ever league game between the two clubs.
United kicked of the first half and with captain Chris Rowley in commanding form in midfield it was the away team who soon began to threaten.
On two minutes Rowley set the tone for the half with his free kick from the left evading the home defence with Dougie Buchanan stretching to reach the ball at the far post.
Three minutes later another Rowley free kick found the head of Doswell with Lewis Brown seeing his shot deflected by keeper McNeill for a corner.
Flackwell were awarded a free kick after a goalmouth scramble as the corner was swung into the area.
A minute later Ryan Britnell sent Brown through only for the keeper to save.
The home team eventually threatened the United goal on 8 minutes with Ramsey testing his name sake in the Marlow goal firing in from outside the area.
On 9 minutes yet another Rowley free kick found the head of Doswell, his headed effort sailing over the bar.
Flackwell almost took the lead three minutes later as a Stevens header from a free kick was cleared from off the line by full back Britnell.
A Green tackle denied the speedy Ramsey as the forward attempted to open the scoring before Marlow took the lead on 15 minutes.
Brown was pulled back by his shirt as he attacked down the left and yet again that man Rowley fired in another free kick with his left foot.
This time keeper McNeill misjudged the flight of the ball as it found the far corner of the net to give Marlow the lead.
Marlow were now bossing the game with Rowley, Doswell, Buchanan,Ollie Flint and Bowler running the midfield and Crawford and Green coping with the threat from Ramsey and Cannon.
Rowley hit the bar with a corner from the left and Flint was just wide with a header from a free kick.
The home team lost skipper Leigh Mason with a knee injury on 22 minutes, Adam Mead replacing him in midfield.
A corner by the home team caused some panic in the United defence as it was played back into area after a partial clearance.
Glynn received his first caution of the night on the half hour after fouling Rowley the Marlow man then exacting his revenge as his cross from a free kick a minute later was headed home by Ollie Flint to put Marlow in control of the game.
The away team were playing out the half with no apparent concern when on 40 minutes Flackwell pulled a goal back from out of the blue.
A cross from the right arrived at the far post were an almighty scramble ended with Cannon forcing the ball over the line to give the home team their opening goal and a psychological lift just before half time.
HT 1-2
United almost restored their two goal advantage, having cleared a Flackwell free kick and a Rowley cross leaving McNeill struggling to clear the ball Doswell played Brown in behind the defence.
The Marlow man fired in a rasping shot to the near post forcing McNeill into a full stretch save.
United continued to create half chances Flint and Brown having attempts saved but it was the home team who began to exert pressure on the Marlow defence, Ramsey’s pace and control causing most concern.
Two corners in quick succession caused problems with keeper Ramsey looking uneasy in dealing with high balls into the area.
Glynn was given his marching orders on 64 minutes for a late tackle, the second yellow card sealing his fate.
Despite being down to 10 men the home team continued to threaten, using the pace of Ramsey to good effect.
On 70 minutes a free kick was cleared for a corner on the left followed by one on the right ending with Moore firing wide.
Lewis Brown was replaced by James Flint on 75 minutes before two minutes later the home team equalised.
Flackwell played a free quick into the Marlow area and with Green waiting to clear the ball keeper Ramsey called and punched the ball into the back of the defender.
The ball eventually broke to Ramsey who fired the ball into the net despite the attempts of Ovens to clear.
United hit back with Bowler almost catching out McNeill with his curling free kick from the left bringing out a fine save from the custodian.
From the corner James Flint volleyed over from close range although the flag was raised for off side.
Marlow sealed the win on 40 minutes with goal of the game.
Ovens won the ball inside the Flackwell half and played an accurate pass to Doswell on the right.
The midfielder played in a cross to the far post were James Flint rose above his marker to send a header over a despairing McNeill and into the goal much to the delight of the players, bench and supporters of the United team.
Flackwell attempted to pull back the deficit yet again but it was not too be.
The final whistle went as a Flackwell corner was cleared to record Marlow’s third league win on the trot and move them into the top halve of the table for the first time this season.
A delighted manager Kevin Carvell said after the game “ Obviously we are delighted to win this game giving us a third win on the trot as it does but because of our opponents it means just that little bit more”
FT 2-3
Team
M Ramsey, L Ovens, R Britnell, R Crawford, I Green, C Rowley, D Buchanan, M Doswell, L Brown, O Flint, J Bowler
Subs
Ben Filmore for Doug Buchanan 64 minutes
James Flint for Lewis Brown 74 minutes
Nick Flint for Jason Bowler 86 minutes
Booked
Crawford
Britnell
Doswell
O Flint
Goals
C Rowley 15 minutes
O Flint 31 minutes
J Flint 85 minutes
Scores
M Ramsey 6
L Ovens 7
R Britnell 7
R Crawford 7
I Green 7
C Rowley 8
D Buchanan 6
M Doswell 7
L Brown 7
O Flint 7
Subs
Filmore 7
J Flint 8
N Flint 7
MOM
Chris Rowley