FA CUP DISAPPOINTMENT
FA CUP
Extra Preliminary Round
Marlow United - 1 Hallen AFC - 2
Marlow’s hopes of a decent FA Cup run, and with it a boost to the club’s depleted finances, were dashed at Wilks Park as they slipped to a disappointing defeat against Bristol based Hallen AFC of the Western League.
The home team dominated the early exchanges with Jon Mason in the thick of the action, his early free kick testing Scannell in the Hallen goal.
A pass from Corbett caused a scramble in the away team area, the ball landing at the feet of Buchanan who was unable to fire off a shot.
Mason was fouled on the edge of the area as United sustained the pressure, his free kick pole axing one of the defensive wall before being cleared.
More pressure resulted in the first corner of the game, Masons kick skidding across the area.
Corbett and Ollie Flint combined; the latter’s cross being caught by Scannell who at this stage was by far the busier keeper.
Hallen’s first threat on the home goal came on 10 minutes with Ryan Britnell clearing from the dangerous Anyinsah.
The resultant corner was cleared by Heywood, the same player being involved minutes later as his mis-directed header forced Nick Flint into a hurried clearance under pressure.
By now the Bristol based team had settled into the game and they began to create some dangerous moments.
Corbett lost out in a tackle in midfield allowing the ball to be played into the Marlow area were several ricochets followed of a harried defence.
A Hallen corner was cleared of the line as Marlow continued to live dangerously, the tall Mowatt putting the clearance wide.
Marlow countered with Mason’s cross leaving Scannell struggling as the ball just missed the right hand post.
Then on 24 minutes Hallen took the lead from a corner.
The cross found an unmarked Mowatt and his powerful header was flicked into the goal by Brimson who was stood on the line with Ovens in attendance.
Marlow responded powerfully, Pedley, Ovens and Mason combining, the latter volleying just over.
Ovens then crossed for Pedley who appeared to be fouled as he strained to reach the ball in the area.
Marlow then wasted an excellent free kick opportunity with Mason and Pedley getting their wires crossed.
Hallen’s Powell became the first booking of the game on 36 minutes as he delayed taking a free kick and 6 minutes later Owen followed him after tripping Pedley as he escaped his attentions.
Ollie Flint was injured on 43 minutes to be replaced by debutant Adam Cooper and the half ended with Hallen’s Ansinya firing wide after a slip by Heywood allowed the player a run on goal.
HT 0-1
United began the second half with a flourish as they attempted to draw level.
Nicol played the ball through to Cooper, his turn in the area ending as he fell with his back to the goal.
A Marlow corner was played on by Nicol with Cooper’s shot being blocked.
After a period of scrappy play Marlow deservedly equalised on 58 minutes.
Captain Heywood played a long ball out of defence to Nicol, his flick on finding Cooper who held up the ball before finding Nicol again the Marlow forward powered into the area and firing low past Scannell.
Three minutes later a Marlow corner caused some panic in the away team’s area as they looked for the winning goal.
Corbett was replaced by Scot Webb on 62 minutes before Hallen threatened to retake the lead as Anyinsah turned his marker and fired over.
The away team looked disappointed on 70 minutes when Brimson appeared to be fouled as he burst into the area only for the referee to wave play on.
Marlow then saw a Mason free kick fired across the area with Buchanan, who was having an increasing influence on the game, seeing his shot blocked.
The winning goal came in the 80th minute as Marlow continued to press for their second goal.
A long ball out of defence found the dangerous Anyinsah who rounded Nick Flint before firing a low shot inside the left hand post with keeper Cooper rooted on his line.
United continued to press for the equaliser but to no avail and with Hallen making late substitutes and playing for time the game petered out sending the Bristol team into a home tie with Lymington Town FC.
Manager Kevin Carvell was disappointed with the result “We deserved a draw at least on our second half performance.
I was delighted with the way the team responded after a poor first half and Adam Cooper’s debut performance was excellent.
We can move on from this with confidence for the season despite the scoreline”
FT 1-2
Team: Cooper, Ovens, Britnell, N Flint, Heywood (C) Corbett, O Flint, Buchanan, Nicol, Mason, Pedley.
Subs
Adam Cooper for O Flint 43 minutes
Scot Webb for G Corbett 62 minutes
Goals.
Andy Nicol 58 minutes
Bookings. Nil!!!
Scores
Anthony Cooper 5
R Britnell 6
L Ovens 6
N Flint 6
T Heywood 7
G Corbett 5
O Flint 6
D Buchanan 6
A Nicol 6
J Mason 7
D Pedley 7
Subs
Adam Cooper 7
S Webb 6
Man of the Match
TRISTAN HEYWOOD