DERBY DELIGHT FOR UNITED
FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC
PREMIER DIVISION
Marlow United 2 Flackwell Heath 0
A wonder strike from top scorer Lewis Brown sealed a satisfying evening for Marlow as they completed a league double over rivals and landlords Flackwell Heath, surpassing 50 points and moving above their rivals in the process.
In a fitting climax to their first ever season at level five United weathered the early Flackwell pressure to strike twice, through a Ben Filmore penalty on 30 minutes, this after Nick Flint had been felled by Adam Durrant, with Brown doubling the lead on 44 minutes with as good a strike a you could wish to see, his 35 yard volley from the left of the area scorching past a startled Carl Dennison into the far corner of the net.
If the cameras had been present it would have definitely been goal of the month.
That result hardly looked likely from the kick off though, as Flackwell took the game to the home team, ex United player James Flint being prominent in early exchanges, hitting the post after two minutes with Ben Chadbone seeing his follow up effort saved by Ramsey.
Marlow captain Lee Ovens found himself in the book on 8 minutes following a late tackle on Moore as the Heathens kept up the early pressure with James Flint volleying over when well placed two minutes later.
Ramsey was forced to punch away a free kick under pressure on 15 minutes as Marlow struggled to match their opponents work rate although Ollie Flint, returning after a lengthy absence set up Brown who fired wide two minutes earlier.
James Flint was lucky to escape punishment for a late challenge on Gary Wiltshire and the home bench voiced their disapproval when 60 seconds later Filmore was booked for dissent!
By now Marlow were beginning to gain a foothold in the game, Wiltshire and Benyon playing particularly well in the centre of the defence, allowing the midfield to compete with their opposite numbers.
Coull broke quickly from a Flackwell corner only to lose possession as he approached the penalty area.
A period of pressure eventually led to the opening goal on 30 minutes as Nick Flint was felled inside the area by Durrant, Filmore stepping forward after a lengthy delay whilst the player was attended to and firing the spot kick into the left of the goal.
Having taken the lead United stepped up the pace and Coull saw his effort blocked following a lay off from Nicol.
Nicol then delayed his shot when well placed after Brown’s pass put him in the clear.
Nicol returned the favour two minutes later only for Matt Flint to rescue the away team with a last ditch tackle on Brown.
Ollie Flint became the second home booking on 40 minutes, needlessly entering the ref’s note book after disputing a throw on.
Scot Benyon rescued Marlow with a last ditch header from Moore’s cross with Chadbone poised to strike on 42 minutes before Brown doubled the lead with a superb strike from the left after good work by Britnell, Coull and Nicol.
HT 2-0
Scot Webb replaced Nick Flint at the start of the half as Flackwell forced a quick corner which was cleared.
United again looked the sharper team, creating several chances with Nicol and Brown causing the Heathens defence no end of problems.
An injury to Wiltshire resulted in another long injury delay before Nicol released Brown, the Marlow man delaying his shot allowing the keeper to block his effort.
Keeper Ramsey tipped an Adam Morris free kick over for a corner which saw Ovens clear off the line from Moore as Flackwell attempted to pull back a goal.
Matt Rolfe should have done better when heading the resultant corner over the bar when unmarked.
Nicol again put the away defence under pressure his run and cross finding Lewis, he then found Ollie Flint who fired wide.
Marlow really should have added a third on 71 minutes as Brown saw his shot saved by Dennison, the rebound being collected by Webb who failed to hit the target, his effort skidding across the goal before being cleared.
Wiltshire made probably his first mistake of the game a minute later, delaying his clearance and allowing Flackwell to bare down on goal only for Filmore to spare his blushes with a hurried clearance.
Ovens saw his late challenge on Moore escape punishment with the away team appealing for a penalty at one end with Nicol seeing his angled effort well saved at the other.
The away team saw their last decent effort go wide with Durrant sending his shot over the bar from a Morris free kick, Nicol becoming the third Marlow booking for a late challenge moments later.
Dan Pedley replaced a tiring Ollie Flint on 85 minutes with Ian Green replacing Ovens on 89 minutes as the Marlow bench used all three subs.
Nicol saw an effort hit the post, Benyon then rescuing Marlow with a block tackle on Chadbone as the game entered injury time.
The final whistle bought an end to a momentous first season for United.
With Flackwell finishing their season 48 hours later Marlow can finish no lower than fifteenth in the league and unless the Heathens defeat Old Woodstock they will be top dogs at Wilks Park.
This, coupled to a memorable win in the Floodlit cup completes a highly satisfactory season for the Bucks minnows, competing as they are in a semi professional league.
Manger Kevin Carvell and his coaching team deserve great credit as do the players who have played in 59 competitive games this season.
FT 2-0
Team
Ramsey, Ovens, Wiltshire, Benyon, Britnell, O Flint, B Filmore, C Coull, N Flint, Brown, Nicol.
Subs
S Webb for N Flint 45 minutes
D Pedley for O Flint 85 minutes
I Green for L Ovens 89 minutes
Scores
Ben Filmore (pen) 30 minutes
Lewis Brown 44 minutes
Scores
M Ramsey 7
L Ovens 7
G Wiltshire 8
S Benyon 8
R Britnell 7
O Flint 7
B Filmore 7
C Coull 7
N Flint 7
L Brown 8
A Nicol 7
Subs
S Webb 7
D Pedley 7
I Green 7
Man of the Match
SCOTT BENYON