FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Replay
UNITED WIN CREATES HISTORY
Marlow United 2 Hungerford Town 2 AET
Marlow go through 4-2 on penalties.
Marlow United kept their composure to register an historic first ever win in the FA Cup over favourites Hungerford Town, scoring four penalties to their opponents two in a dramatic penalty shoot out to deservedly win a dramatic replay.
Over the two games Marlow probably deserved their success, creating the better opportunities and their will to win finally overcoming a Hungerford team who last season reached the quarter finals of the FA vase and finishing third in the Hellenic Premier division.
With Captain Tristan Heywood and James Flint restored to the side the home team began the game in a 4-3-3 formation determined to make home advantage count. After two early Hungerford corners Marlow took the lead on 6 minutes. Louis Brown was fouled 30 yards from the Hungerford goal and Mark Doswell drilled home the free kick, a deflection taking the ball past a despairing Thompson.
Hungerford began to assert some pressure gaining a succession of corners with out threatening to score.
Although they were dominating possession much of their play was spoilt by over hitting the final ball allowing the home team to relieve the pressure and with Brown and James Flint posing the Hungerford back four plenty of problems the home team always looked capable of scoring again.
As it was Hungerford deservedly equalised on 26 minutes, Concannon scoring from close range after Carter’s left wing cross evaded the home defence.
United struck back immediately with Brown setting up James Flint only for Thompson to save at the forwards feet as he burst into the area.
Blackford fired wide with a free kick as Hungerford retaliated and then they took the lead on 32 minutes.
A good build up through the middle of the park found Cant in space on the left of the Marlow area and the Hungerford player made no mistake placing an angled shot past Murray into the far corner of the goal.
Hungerford’s Jones then found himself in the referees note book for a late challenge on Brown.
The away team were controlling the match at this stage and it was against the run of the play that United equalised on 39 minutes.
Heywood played the ball down the left were James Flint’s flick was missed by Scott Davis allowing Brown a free run on goal.
The Marlow man kept his composure to slot the ball past the advancing Thompson.
Efforts from Hungerford’s Concannon and Marlow’s Heywood saw the half end all square at 2-2.
HT 2-2
United started the second half brightly, Nick Flint and Heywood testing Thompson in the first 2 minutes.
Marlow continued to apply pressure, a Flint cross being cleared by Macklin before a Britnell run was ended by a tackle in the box.
Macklin became the second Hungerford booking of the evening after a foul on James Flint before Doswell again tested Thompson, his shot being saved at the foot of the post before being scrambled away.
Jones, saved, and Edney, wide, both had efforts as Hungerford sought to break the deadlock and Brown had an effort blocked at the other end as the game swung from end to end.
Marlow were now looking the stronger team as Hungerford’s attacks became more sporadic, the home team were certainly playing with more determination, dominating much of the possession.
Fila became the third booking for the away side after a late tackle on Doswell before Pedley replaced Nick Flint on 75 minutes. Doswell was then replaced by Buchanan on 85 minutes as Marlow attempted to snatch a winner.
James Flint needlessly talked himself into a yellow card after Filmore was penalised, Edney’s cross from the free kick flying across the face of the goal.
As it was Hungerford nearly snatched the winner as Fila’s 25 yard shot hit the left hand post in the 91st minute.
FT 2-2
Extra time
Both teams began intent on scoring a winning goal, neither wishing the game to be decided on a penalty shoot out.
Marlow came closest to breaking the deadlock, Heywood powering Filmore’s 96th minute free kick toward the top left hand corner of the goal only for Thompson to produce a superb save.
Murray cleared from Edney, Robison shot wide and Ian Green’s last ditch tackle denied Macklin as Hungerford retaliated.
As the second period began United replaced Brown with Dan Flint, the Marlow man having run himself into the ground.
Neither side was able to break the deadlock in the final 15 minutes, the game then entering a penalty shoot out.
Edney Put Hungerford one up, Filmore replying for United.
Murray became the hero, saving Green’s spot kick before Britnell converted to put Marlow ahead.
Robison and James Flint both scored, the unfortunate Macklin then blasting his kick wide allowing Buchanan the opportunity to send the home club through.
This he did amidst much jubilation amongst the players and supporters alike.
United now visit Beaconsfield SYCOB on the 30th August.
Penalties
Marlow 4 Hungerford 2
Team
Murray, Ovens, Britnell, Crawford, Green, Filmore, Heywood, Doswell, Brown, J Flint, N Flint.
Subs Used
Pedley for N Flint
Buchanan Doswell
D Flint for Brown
Murray 7
Ovens 7
Britnell 7
Crawford 7
Green 7
Filmore 7
Heywood 8
Doswell 7
Brown 8
J Flint 7
N Flint 7
Subs
Pedley 7
Buchanan 7
D Flint 7
MOM
Tristan Heywood