AGAINST ALL ODDS
HELLENIC LEAGUE FLOODLIT
CUP FINAL
Hungerford Town 2 Marlow United 3 (AET)
Marlow defied all the odds to snatch the first silverware off the season as they fought back to defeat favourites Hungerford Town in an exciting Floodlit Cup Final at Bulpit Lane.
Forced by fixture congestion to play a single leg final, with league leaders Hungerford drawing the right to play at home, United were then hit with a double blow when regular keeper Carl Murray withdrew at lunchtime with an injury and reserve keeper Andy Walden was unavailable due to work commitments.
In desperation manager Kevin Carvell contacted Mark Ramsey who last appeared between the sticks in early January, and thankfully Mark agreed to don the gloves once more.
This was to be the fifth meeting of the clubs this season, United having eliminated Hungerford from the FA Cup in August, be it on penalties after a replay, the Berkshire side recording two comfortable wins over the Blues in the league to exact their revenge, the latest a 5-2 win on the 7th March.
The form book pointed to a home win with Hungerford hoping to complete the first step to a league and cup double in the process and the home supporters amongst the 125 spectators certainly appeared confident as the teams took to the field.
Marlow began the game playing with the not inconsiderable slope in their favour and were the first to threaten when a throw on their right was headed on dangerously only for keeper Bayliss to gather for his first touch of the game.
United continued to use the slope to their advantage gaining the first corner of the game on 3 minutes, Adam Dickens kick travelling across the box where Callum Coull could only force the ball out for a goal kick.
A long throw from Lewis Brown was cleared by the home defence as United looked to maintain the early tempo.
Hungerford were awarded a free kick on 8 minutes Scot Benyon clearing, as the home team began to impose themselves on the game.
Marlow were conceding to many free kicks as they attempted to stem the flow of the home team and following a free kick and a corner in quick succession Jamie Gosling should have opened the scoring, his effort from 6 yards finding a grateful Ramsey.
On 15 minutes a through ball found Ian Concannon on the left, the subsequent shot from his cross being blocked by brilliantly by Ryan Britnell.
Marlow Captain Mark Doswell then cleared under pressure from the dangerous Fila as Hungerford piled on the pressure.
Doswell was again in action clearing from Fila before the Hungerford man found Ramsey with a snap shot.
At this stage Marlow were hanging on, Benyon and Doswell particularly having their work cut out as the home team poured forward from midfield.
It was easy to see why Hungerford occupied the top spot in the league as they played the ball around accurately, their movement of the ball causing Marlow all sorts of problems.
Then on 26 minutes United hit back with a quick break, the ball eventually finding Dickens just outside the Hungerford area.
Looking up the Marlow man played a chip over the defence to an unmarked Callum Coull who guided the ball over Bayliss and into the net with a deft header.
One down against the run of play Hungerford hit back with a vengeance, equalising within two minutes and when a shot from the edge of the area rebounded of a defender to Gosling the number ten slid the ball past Ramsey into the net.
The pace of the game, which until this point had been frenetic, dropped a little allowing Marlow the opportunity to gain some possession, Dickens wasting a shooting chance on the half hour after his run took him into the Hungerford area.
A poor back pass gave the away team their second corner of the game two minutes later before Brown found Coull on the left of the area. His turn made space for a shot that curled wide.
Just as it seemed that Marlow would enjoy their break on level terms Hungerford struck for their second goal.
As with the first there was an element of luck with Ramsey twice making saves from close range only for the ball to fall to Matt Jack who scored from close range.
There was just time for Ross Middleton to be shown a yellow card before the half ended.
HT 2-1
One down and defending the slope the portents were not good for United as the second half began.
As it was they surprised Hungerford with an equaliser on 53 minutes.
Lewis Brown began the attack down the left and when full back Ryan Britnell received the ball 25 yards from goal he promptly fired the ball over a despairing Bayliss for Marlow’s second goal.
Brown , who earlier had been injured in a clash of heads was replaced by Lee Ovens as the game restarted, Ovens slotting into right back with Nick Flint moving to right midfield.
Hungerford’s Fila mishit a shot when well placed before Marlow gained a corner, Benyon’s effort being blocked.
Nick Flint was using his pace on the wing to good effect and from an Ovens through ball he found Coull, his shot going wide.
Hungerford were finding the United defence a tougher nut to crack in this half as the away team got men behind the ball.
Ovens found him self in the book for a late challenge, followed by Hungerford sub Brewer as both teams looked to snatch a winning goal inside the 90 minutes.
Marlow nearly gained that lead with probably their best move of the half on 82 minutes, the ball moving between Dickens, Pedley, Coull and Flint with the latter’s cross being met by Andy Nicol with an overhead attempt that looked to be sneaking inside the post before Bayliss grabbed the ball.
Despite their superior possession Hungerford were unable to break down the Marlow defence, the fact that Ramsey barely had a save to make being testament to the heroic defending.
In fact as the game progressed United looked the livelier team, their quick breaks, with Nicol always a danger, looking more likely to break the deadlock.
In the final few minutes though Hungerford laid siege to the United area with sub Cant and Gosling twice seeing shots blocked or saved.
FT 2-2
Marlow began extra time playing up the slope and Ross Middleton, who had run himself into the ground, was replaced by Ben Filmore.
Benyon was soon in the thick of the action diving to head clear a cross and soon after United scored what would eventually be the winning goal.
On 97 minutes Ryan Britnell picked up a loose ball and played a pass too Nicol just inside the Hungerford half.
The burly forward burst past his marker and bore down on the goal.
With Bayliss advancing he picked his spot and fired the ball into the goal amidst much delight amongst the Marlow players, bench and supporters.
Some of the home player began to show their frustration with one or two of the ball incidents going unpunished.
The teams changed round with Marlow having the advantage of the slope and Pedley should have put the game beyond Hungerford on 110 minutes.
Intercepting a pass he belied his age and appearance, sprinting 40 yards before putting his shot agonisingly wide of the far post.
A minute later he was presented with another great opportunity, the ball landing at his feet in the area following a corner, his effort being blocked.
United attempted to play out the remaining minutes only for Hungerford to be awarded a free kick on the left, a kick which was wasted before a final corner was cleared by the Marlow defence as the referee blew for full time.
There was understandably much jubilation amongst the Marlow contingent as the realisation of their achievement sank in.
Winners of the Floodlit Cup, having eliminated the holders in the semi final, and defeating Hungerford on their home patch.
Quite an achievement for a club in its first year at this level.
Team
M Ramsey, N Flint, S Benyon, M Doswell, R Britnell, D Pedley, A Dickens, R Middleton, C Coull, L Brown, A Nicol.
Subs.
L Ovens for L Brown
B Filmore for R Middleton
I Green not used
Goals
C Coull 26 minutes
R Britnell 53 minutes
A Nicol 97 minutes
Scores
M Ramsey 8
N Flint 8
S Benyon 9
M Doswell 9
R Britnell 8
D Pedley 8
A Dickens 8
R Middleton 8
C Coull 8
L Brown 8
A Nicol 8
Subs
L Ovens 8
B Filmore 8
Man of the Match
SCOTT BENYON