BROWN DOUBLE SEALS IT
FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC
PREMIER DIVISION
Marlow United - 2 Highworth Town - 0
Two goals from Lewis Brown capped a fine performance by Marlow as they overcame a strong Highworth Town team, moving themselves into the top half of the table for the first time this season in the process.
With Captain Tristan Heywood returning to the centre of the defence the home team back four had a much more stable look to it, Heywood having a fine game as Marlow spent much of the first half on the back foot.
Highworth were straight out of the blocks putting the home team on the defensive from the start with both Heywood and partner Nick Flint in the heart of the action, repelling the rampant away team’s early attacks.
Highworth were playing a fast attacking brand of football and the home team were at full stretch competing with their opponents who were dominating the early stages of the game.
Nick Flint was in action on 8 minutes clearing a Highworth break before fellow centre half Heywood was forced into conceding a corner two minutes later clearing a dangerous cross.
Mark Ramsey fumbled a clearance on the edge of his area on 15 minutes and was thankful to see Lee Ovens clear the danger.
Marlow’s first real threat on the Highworth goal came on 17 minutes with keeper Gill forced to head clear Heywood’s long ball.
The home team took the lead on 24 minutes with Brown, probably the smallest player on the pitch, winning the ball and sending a looping header from James Flint’s left wing cross over Gill and into the net in United’s first real attack of the game.
Marlow should have doubled that lead when Brown collected a Filmore free kick and his cross caused havoc in the Highmore defence with James Flint unable to reach the loose ball.
Undeterred Highworth continued to take the game to the home team and Wyatt really should have equalised on 34 minutes, his 6 yard header thudding against the bar from a right wing cross.
Scott Webb saw his header blocked by a defender in a rare United attack whilst at the other end Highworth again missed an easy chance as the half drew to a close a shot hitting a defender on the line.
HT 1-0
If anything the pace of the game increased in the second half as Highworth attempted to draw level and Marlow began to exploit the gaps in the away team defence.
Highworth’s Crocker tested Ramsey with a long range effort at one end before
keeper Gill missed an attempted headed clearance and James Flint lost out in the race for the loose ball which went for a corner, Heywood heading over.
Then on 53 minutes United doubled their lead.
A corner on the right was met at the far post by Doswell. It was eventually cleared to Ryan Britnell and his pass was flicked on by Heywood to Brown who ran on and fired the ball into the net.
Highworth continued to enjoy the greater possession but such was the work rate of the home team they rarely threatened the goal.
Both front men James Flint and Lewis Brown set an example to their team mates with their prodigious work rate and it was the home team who looked the more threatening team.
Flint was replaced eventually on 70 minutes by cousin Dan Flint suffering a groin strain.
A left wing cross from Highworth should have been converted on 78 minutes but the chance went begging and it was the home team who came closest to increasing their lead when Ben Filmore fired in a spectacular shot from 35 yards which crashed against the post.
The rebound found an unmarked Dan Flint 8 yards from goal and his low shot looked to be goal bound until Gill produced an excellent save to push the ball away for a corner.
Sub Harry Pritchard replaced a tiring Pedley on 82 minutes and 5 minutes later he found himself in space on the left, beat his marker with a strong run and finished with a speculative effort which flew just wide.
Marlow keeper Ramsey was finally called on in the last minute producing a marvellous double save to keep a clean sheet for the home team and denying Highworth the consolation of a goal that their display deserved.
Manager Kevin Carvell said after the game “We won an excellent game of football against a strong Highworth team. Their first half performance was as good as any team we have played this season and we showed real character to overcome them. Every one of the Marlow team worked their socks of to achieve our best result in the league this season”
FT 2-0
Team
M Ramsey, L Ovens, R Britnell, N Flint, T Heywood, B Filmore, S Webb, M Doswell, L Brown, J Flint, D Pedley
Subs
Dan Flint for J Flint 70 minutes
Harry Pritchard for Dan Pedley 82 minutes
Scorers
Lewis Brown 24 and 52 minutes
Scores
M Ramsey 7
L Ovens 7
R Britnell 7
N Flint 7
T Heywood 8
B Filmore 7
S Webb 7
M Doswell 7
L Brown 9
J Flint 8
D Pedley 7
Man of the Match
LEWIS BROWN