RUN IN TAKES ITS TOLL

FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC

PREMIER DIVISION

Highworth Town 3 Marlow United 2

Marlow’s punishing run in to the culmination of their league programme, this was their fourth game in seven days, resulted in a depleted team taking the field against Highworth Town and ultimately contributed to their downfall in an entertaining end of season game.

Manager Kevin Carvell opted to play assistant Gary Wiltshire as sweeper with centre half Nick Flint partnering his brother Dan, given a rare first team opportunity, up front as they attempted to achieve a double over the newly crowned Wiltshire Senior Cup winners.

With 45 minutes played and Marlow two goals to the good it looked as if the plan would bare fruition with Ryan Britnell heading United in front on 12 minutes from a Nick Flint corner and Scot Webb doubling that lead on 45 minutes, firing home from 8 yards, following a Wiltshire free kick and some enterprising play from Britnell and Wiltshire on the left.

Marlow absorbed the pressure that Highworth applied through the half and looked the more dangerous side on the break with a battling performance that belied the difference in the league position of the two sides.

In fact Britnell had a great opportunity to score his second on 17 minutes following a run by Wiltshire that was halted by a foul.

When the ball was played short to the full back he cut inside and saw his fierce shot saved by Gill.

The pivotal moment in the game occurred 60 seconds after Marlow’s second goal as the home team struck back in first half injury time.

A shot from Snook was deflected for a corner on United’s left and from the resultant kick centre half Tom Cole rose unchallenged at the far post to head home with keeper Ramsey rooted to the line.

HT

1-2

Had United kept their two goal lead at the interval then maybe the final result would have been different but as it was defending the one goal and playing up the pronounced slope in the second half was always going to prove a difficult task for a makeshift Marlow.

So it proved as the home team equalised on 51 minutes following a free kick after Benyon fouled Hilder.

The ball was crossed into the United area where Ben Snook headed home from close range.

Cole could have doubled his tally, heading wide from a corner on 59 minutes before Highworth took the lead two minutes later.

Again the danger came down the Marlow left with the dangerous Hilder making space for a cross to find Terry Bohane who scored with a header.

At this stage there was a danger that the away team would be swept away as Highworth poured forward but credit to Marlow they pulled themselves back into the game.

Dan Pedley replaced an injured Dan Flint on 70 minutes and 5 minutes later Marlow really should have equalised when Nick Flint burst into the Highworth area, his pace down the slope taking him past two defenders.

With two unmarked colleagues in the area the converted defender chose to shoot rather than cross, seeing his effort saved by keeper Gill.

Sub Pedley then saw his forceful effort well saved by Gill as Marlow began to scent an equaliser.

On 80 minutes coach Mark Sciaraffa replaced a weary Brown for his first taste of action this season, slotting into the sweeper role as Wiltshire was pushed up front.

Wiltshire was involved as Marlow almost snatched what would have been a deserved equalising goal; combining with Nick Flint to set up Scot Webb, who, despite having to control a difficult ball slammed a volley against the bar with Gill beaten.

The ball rebounded to Flint who fired narrowly over from 18 yards.

Despite gaining three quick corners and sending keeper Ramsey into the area for the last of these Highworth saw out the last two minutes to avenge their earlier defeat, consolidating their top six position in the process,

United hope to finish off their season with a win over landlords Flackwell Heath on Tuesday evening, a result that could still see them finish top dogs of Wilks Park.

FT

3-2

Team

Ramsey, Ovens, Green, Benyon, Britnell, Wiltshire, Brown, Filmore, Webb, D Flint, N Flint

Subs

Dan Pedley for Dan Flint 70 minutes

Mark Sciaraffa for Lewis Brown 80 minutes

Goals

R Britnell 12 minutes

S Webb 45 minutes

Scores

M Ramsey 6

L Ovens  6

I Green  7

S Benyon  7

R Britnell  6

G Wiltshire  7

L Brown  6

B Filmore  6

S Webb  6

D Flint  6

N Flint  6

Subs D Pedley 7

M Sciaraffa 6

Man of the Match

GARY WILTSHIRE