LATE FIGHT BACK EARNS POINT
FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC
PREMIER DIVISION
Malmesbury Victoria 4 Marlow United 4
Marlow fought back from a two goal deficit to earn a well deserved point at the picturesque Flying Monk Ground in an exciting and entertaining game in which Phil Corcoran for the home team and Andy (Boxer) Nichol for United both scored hat tricks.
Marlow began with a much changed line up yet again and it was the away team who threatened first with a Filmore pass picking out Nichol who was ruled offside before a dangerous cross from Malmesbury flew across the United goal.
Marlow took the lead on 12 minutes, Nick Flint’s ball finding Nichol in space.
The forward advanced on the Malmesbury goal before placing the ball expertly over keeper Woodhouse and into the net.
Stung by this reverse the home team began to dominate proceedings with Murray punching away a Coles free kick before the home team squandered two glorious opportunities, Charlton blasting over when unchallenged and Corcoran missing from 8 yards.
The inevitable equaliser arrived on 25 minutes as Corcoran received the ball from the Marlow left and placed his shot wide of Murray.
Five minutes later the away goal saw more narrow escapes as Oke saw his fierce shot deflected for a corner with keeper Murray saving at point blank range with his feet from Coles as the ball arrived in the six yard box.
The second goal arrived two minutes later courtesy of a mis-placed pass from Marlow’s Doyle which was intercepted the ball being played into a suspiciously looking offside Corcoran who gratefully accepted the opportunity by placing the ball into an empty net.
United mounted a rare foray into the Vic’s half with Wiltshire unable to turn and shoot when well placed before they snatched a surprising second goal on 42 minutes.
Following a corner Leigh Mason crossed the ball into the six yard box where Nichol headed the ball goal ward and from the subsequent save Nick Flint bundled the ball over the line from close range.
Marlow’s joy was to be short lived as hero Flint turned villain, his under hit back pass forcing Murray to foul his opponent as he challenged for the ball.
Murray received a yellow card for his troubles and with the home team about to take a free kick on the edge of the area the assistant referee indicated to the referee that it should be a penalty, much to the annoyance of the away team.
To heap further pain on United Murray brilliantly saved Corcoran’s spot kick only for the assistant to indicate that the keeper had breached the rules with the second kick then finding the net.
The half ended with much heated discussion between officials and away team players.
HT 3-2
Malmesbury should have extended their lead in the first minute of the half, Charlton firing wide from 8 yards.
United then began to dictate the play, Leigh Mason creating much danger down the left with his close control and cutting into the box.
A corner was played into Nichol who saw his flick deflect of the keeper.
Malmesbury were relying on quick breaks and it was from such a break on 62 minutes that they extended their lead with a cross from the left that was headed back across the goal by Corcoran where sub Giles scored from close range.
Two goals down Marlow needed to respond quickly and it was Nichol who provided the life line three minutes later, blasting home from 10 yards following a mix up in the home defence.
A minute later and the teams were level, this time Nichol completing his hat trick, heading home Filmore’s free kick at the far post.
Marlow now went looking for the winner and they nearly got it as Filmore’s through ball found Mason, his shot being blocked with Nichol firing the rebound over the bar when it looked as if he must score.
Mason then fired over from a Marlow corner before the same player created and wasted two golden opportunities.
On 76 minutes he received Webb’s through ball ran into the box but was unable to fire of a shot allowing the ball to be cleared.
A minute later he picked up Nichol’s header, rounded the keeper and some how managed to place the ball wide of the left post with the gaping goal three yards away.
United continued to create chances with Mason again missing the target on 81 minutes after picking up Nichol’s inside pass.
Malmesbury responded by pushing Marlow back in the last few minutes of the game and the away team were grateful to see Murray fall on the ball after a mix up in the area following a surging run from Corcoran.
The final whistle went with honours even after what had been an exciting game for the sparse crowd.
FT 4-4
Marlow manager Kevin Carvell was philosophical after the game “We deserved the draw for our second half display and had we taken our chances it could have been three points.
As for the penalty controversy, well you just have to accept the decision and get on with it, and in all honesty we deserved to go in losing at half time so poor was our performance”
Team
Murray, Ovens, Benyon, N Flint, Webb, Doyle, Filmore, Corbett, L Mason, Nichol, Wiltshire
Subs
A Doyle for L Doyle 67 minutes
Lynch for Wiltshire 72 minutes
Booked
Murray
Webb
Goals
Nichol 12, 65, 66.
N Flint 42
Scores
Murray 7
Ovens 7
Webb 7
Benyon 7
Flint 7
L Doyle 6
B Filmore 6
G Corbett 6
L Mason 7
G Wiltshire 6
A Nicol 8
Subs
A Doyle 6
P Lynch 6
Man of the Match
ANDY NICHOL