HIT FOR SIX!

FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC

PREMIER DIVISION

Hook Norton - 6 Marlow United - 0

Fielding a familiar 4-4-2 formation with an unfamiliar front two of Andy West and Gary Wiltshire with yet another changed central defensive partnership as Rob Crawford was drafted in to partner the diminutive Scott Benyon as Manager Carvell opted to move Nick Flint wide right in an attempt to beef up his limited attacking options.

With a real danger of the pitch freezing United kicked off stringing some passes together without threatening a commanding Hook defence. But the opening minutes were even and in the 5th minute Pedley released Ovens whose slipped ball to Flint who had found space on the right was wasted as Flint couldn't keep his footing on the slippery surface.

In the 7th minute a taste of things to come was evident as Milner released the gangly Ricky Johnson who bore down on goal only to be clipped for the first free kick of the evening, however the resultant free kick was dealt with competently by keeper Mark Ramsey.

United dug in and produced their best move on 10 minutes when Lee Ovens ever forceful ever persistent forced the ball forward for Pedley to swing the ball in the direction of Nick Flint, Flint taking the ball to the line clipped it back for Andy West but a timely lunge by Hook's Kai Ridley averted the danger.

On 20 minutes another clipped ball forward found Lee Harris and the Hook forward looking lively failed to hold his footing at the critical moment and the chance passed but by now it was evident that anything forced down the centre was causing problems as Marlow looked decidedly edgy at the back, it was such a happening that would lead eventually to the start of the Marlow collapse.

25 minutes and Marlow were edging forward with Olly Flint who up to now had been quiet on the left hand side but his surge left two players  slipping and sliding in his wake but unfortunately for Flint his angled pass to Buchanan was cut out by Hook's Fitton and his long clearance caught United flat footed as it fell to the feet of Johnson, Johnson dancing into the icy penalty area slipped the ball wide of the despairing lunge of Ramsey to fire Hook into a 1-0 lead.

The pattern of the game developed from this as a lack lustre Marlow failed to cause the Hook defence any problems with the coldest player on the pitch being the 'Hookie' goalkeeper Matt Dixon. However again it was Ovens who tried to encourage his team mates with a determined effort to drive his team forward but time and time again United's play bogged down in the midfield providing little opportunity for Wiltshire or West to make any impact on what was a solid Hook defence.

31 minutes and yet another ball slotted down United's throat caused confusion at the heart of United's defence and Alex Feaver exploited the chaos superbly firing an unstoppable shot past Ramsey for 2-0.

United probably had their best period prior to half time without penetrating the Hook defence but were pleased to walk away just 2-0 down after Lee Harris had squandered a 36th minute open goal opportunity to fire his side even further into the lead.

HT 0-2

If United's solitary supporter was confident that Marlow's performance could only get better  he was to be bitterly disappointed as Hook again exploited some weak defending and on 50 minutes Feaver increased his goal tally to 2 and Hook's to 3-0 as he slipped between two defenders to slot the ball home.

Ten minutes later and Ricky Johnson's 60th minute goal effectively killed the game at 4-0 and it seemed it was just a case of how many as just two minutes later Ben Colman who had been decidedly calm and composed at the back charged forward to rattle in number 5.

At 5-0 and clearly dead in the water United to their credit never gave up and continued to combat a by now  buoyant Hook team but just as it seemed things couldn't be worse  a ball swung into the United penalty area was challenged for between Hook's Standen and United's Nick Flint and what appeared an innocuous challenge that saw Flint win the aerial battle the referee pointed to the penalty spot. To add to the confusion a lineman's flag appeared to have provided Marlow with some relief but to add salt to United's already considerable wounds the referee waved the yellow card at Flint for his challenge.

Hook's Jamie Cramond stepped up to blast the spot kick which saw Ramsey dive superbly to save and then acrobatically and somewhat miraculously saved the follow up shot but couldn't prevent Szczukiewicz from grabbing a third bite of the cherry to blast home number six, Ramsey had every right to scowl at his defensive teammates who had appeared motionless despite his heroics.

So a bitterly cold night and experience ended for Marlow when the referee thankfully blew the final whistle but clearly the effect of a 70 mile journey culminating in the team being misled by 21st century technology played its part in United's demise but United can take consolation that this was their very last Tuesday evening trip of consequence for the rest of the season and with just 7 away games left to play  they can take some comfort in the fact that Wilks Park awaits in the New Year when almost every match will be a home match, which is such an advantage at this level of football.

Manager Kevin Carvell was bitterly disappointed after the game, and said “This was a non performance the team just never showed up, well actually it nearly didn't!  I am so pleased that our midweek travels of consequence are now over, we have suffered tonight and we are all down but we shall lift ourselves and be ready for Saturday of that there is no doubt ”

M Ramsey       6

L Ovens           6

R Crawford     5

S Benyon        5

R Britnell         5

O Flint             5

D Pedley        6

D Buchanan   5

A West            4

G Wiltshire      6

N Flint              6

Sub: A Lanaway 5

Man of the Match

LEE OVENS