FA Cup Preliminary Round
MAGNIFICENT UNITED EARN REPLAY
Hungerford Town - 0 Marlow United - 0
Marlow United came away from Hungerford’s Bulpit Lane ground having held their more illustrious opponents to a scoreless draw, hitting the woodwork three times in the 90 minutes of this keenly contested cup tie.
If Ben Filmore’s 86 minute header from a Nick Flint cross had found the back of the net instead of the right hand upright before bouncing into keeper Thompsons grateful grasp then United would almost certainly be celebrating a famous victory.
After this performance Tuesdays replay at Wilks Park need hold no fears for the Bucks minnows particularly as manager Kevin Carvell will have Captain Tristan Heywood , midfielder Jason Bowler and centre forward James Flint available for selection.
It was the Bucks club who kicked off playing down the slope as they attempted to win an FA cup tie in this their second appearance in the most famous of cup competitions, playing in their change strip of orange and black.
Hungerford soon settled into the game dictating most of the early exchanges as Marlow looked nervous and tentative giving the ball away far too easily.
The home team gained a corner as early as the 1st minute but the kick from the left was confidently held by keeper Murray.
Murray was again in action saving at the feet of Edney as the forward bore down on goal three minutes later.
Full back Lee Ovens suffered the first of several knocks as the prolific Concannon caught the defender after the ball had been cleared.
On 10 minutes Filmore became the first of three United bookings after a foul on Fila as Hungerford continued to dominate the early possession.
A through ball from Doswell to Lewis Brown relieved the pressure, the ball eventually going for a goal kick.
Murray was again in the action on 15 minutes tipping over an effort from Clark thus denying Hungerford the opening goal.
Gradually Marlow began too gain more possession as their confidence grew. With Ian Green snuffing out the dangerous Concannon the away side began to threaten their opponents with the experienced Dan Pedley on the left and Nick Flint on the right causing problems down either flank.
A good build up ended with Flints cross being collected by Thompson whilst a Buchanan free kick found Pedley in the area and his lay off was met by Doswell who fired at the home keeper.
Marlow gained their 1st corner on 20 minutes and from the cross Hungerford quickly broke upfield gaining a free kick in the process. Clarks through ball found Concannon who miss kicked his effort.
Four minutes later the same player should have opened the scoring as he shrugged off Greens challenge only to see his lob sail over Murray and wide of the left hand upright.
Edney was next to test Murray only to see his shot saved by the keeper whilst at the opposite end Brown and Pedley combined forcing Thompson into a save.
By now Marlow were matching their opponents with Filmore, Doswell and Buchanan battling for control of the midfield.
A through ball from Filmore released Brown who saw his shot saved before Filmore, Flint and Pedley combined again the latter firing wide.
With half time approaching United really should have taken the lead when after concerted pressure first Brown fired against the right hand upright from 8 yards and as the ball fell at the feet of Buchanan the midfielder hit the same upright with the goal at his mercy.
HT 0-0
Hungerford began the second period in determined fashion using the slope to their advantage.
Edney bought the best out of Murray on 48 minutes shortly before Marc Green was ruled offside when in a dangerous position.
Hungerford had a penalty appeal turned down on 53 minutes as Cant fell heavily in the area.
Brown relieved some of the pressure on the away side firing in an effort from Flints cross shortly before Pedley then Ovens found themselves in the referees note book for fouls.
Hungerford had a second penalty appeal turned down on the hour as a fierce shot hit Ovens arm in the area.
Hungerford lost the services of Clark with a dislocated shoulder on 62 minutes after a challenge on Murray ended with the Hungerford man falling awkwardly, Jones replacing the distressed player.
Murray saved his best to thwart Concannon on 66 minutes diving acrobatically to his right and turn away a fiercely struck shot.
Having weathered the pressure United began to apply some of the same at the opposite end, Doswell finding Flint who saw his shot saved by Thompson.
Brown found himself flattened on the edge of the area after good work by Ovens and Flint and Doswell bought out an excellent save from the home keeper.
Britnells corner was cleared quickly and Carter fired wide when well placed.
Hungerford’s captain Robison became the fourth player to be booked for persistent foul play on 81 minutes.
Realising time was running out the home team attempted to up the pace but they found the back four of Green, Crawford, Ovens and Britnell impenetrable and it was United who should have snatched the lead on the 86th minute with the post coming to the rescue of the home team for the third time.
Doswell and Brown had further efforts as the game entered injury time before Hungerford’s Blackford saw his corner from the right fired wide by Jones as the game ended in an honourable draw.
A delighted manager Kevin Carvell said after the match “ Once we settled down today we matched Hungerford across the park, I’m delighted with the teams performance today and with a little luck we would be in the next round. Tuesday will be another tough game but we have shown we belong at this level”
Team. C Murray, L Ovens, R Britnell, R Crawford, I Green, B Filmore, D Buchanan, M Doswell, L Brown, N Flint, D Pedley,
Subs. D Flint for Buchanan.
A Lanaway for Pedley.
Scores
C Murray 8 Confident and assured
L Ovens 7 Improving each game
R Britnell 7 As above
R Crawford 6 Improved in second half
I Green 8 magnificent defensive display
B Filmore 7 All action performance
D Buchanan 6 Fitness is improving
M Doswell 7 Tireless performance
L Brown 8 Non stop display
N Flint 8 Excellent
D Pedley 8 showed all his experience
Subs D Flint 7 straight into the action
A Lanaway Not enough time to achieve a mark.
Referee
K Howick 6 inconsistent at times
MOM
Ian Green