CLASSY MARLOW END LOSING STREAK
FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC
PREMIER DIVISION
Milton United - 2 Marlow United - 4
Marlow bought an end to their six match losing streak in the league with a deserved win over Milton, new signings Callum Coull and John Mason leading the way, the latter capping a fine display with two goals.
On a day when history was made across the Atlantic it was Ollie Flint who added his own piece of Marlow United history when he netted the first goal to end 507 minutes of scoreless league football.
Not since since Dan Pedley netted in the 33rd minute at Carterton on 15th November had Marlow scored in a league game!
The fact that United then went on to notch four goals for the first time in a competitive match this season made the night even more remarkable for the rejuvenated Bucks team in what was an all round team effort.
On a crisp cold evening Marlow began the game in a determined mood and it took only five minutes for the away team to take the lead with the ever dangerous Jason Bowler crossing the ball from the left, the clearance being picked up by Ollie Flint.
The midfielder ran two yards and fired in an accurate shot from the edge of the area into the left hand corner of the net to give United just the start they needed as they attempted to end their disastrous run of games.
The away team then began to string together the passes with Coull, Mason and Ollie Flint prominent.
Dan Pedley had to be alert on 7 minutes intercepting a through ball as Milton countered and two minutes later the defence was called on to clear a free kick by the home team, Doswell then playing a ball over the Milton defence which Brown was unable to reach.
On 13 minutes Milton really should have equalised as they began to stretch the United defence with some speedy counter attacks.
A ball crossed from the right found Lee Keyes unmarked in the six yard box and it seemed he must score but some how he managed to head the ball straight into the arms of a grateful Murray.
Marlow replied with a move of four passes which ended with Bowlers cross being cleared as the game swung from end to end.
The away side escaped again after Nick Flint cleared the ball off the goal line following some excellent play and shot from Butler.
Almost immediately a cross from Styles found Butler at the far post, his volley narrowly missing the target as Marlow were rocking.
Pedley relieved the pressure with a through ball to the energetic Brown who was unable to control the pass and the danger passed.
Marlow gained the first corner of the game on 25 minutes Masons kick being cleared before Brown saw his effort from the left saved by Griffiths.
A further United corner on the left flew across the goal face with Doswell unable to connect at the far post.
The referee, who gave what could only be described as an inconsistent performance, then missed two obvious fouls in quick succession with Ollie Flint being felled first before a Milton forward was bundled over as he bust into the area only for both offences to be ignored.
Marlow almost doubled their lead on 33 minutes as Green headed over from Bowlers corner but 7 minutes later another Bowler corner was cleared to Mason who fired in an unstoppable shot from 25 yards to send the away team into the interval with a two goal lead.
HT 0-2
Having seen Milton twice overhaul a two goal lead to take the points in the previous fixture Marlow came out determined to preserve their advantage.
A move involving Bowler, Brown and Mason ended with the latter being fouled and Bowler testing home keeper Griffith with the subsequent free kick.
Marlow should have increase their lead on 52 minutes, Mason seizing on Griffith’s poor clearance and despite jinking his way past his markers he was unable to get off his shot, eventually being crowded out.
Coull won a 50/50 tackle in the middle of the park before playing the ball to Bowler then firing over the return as Marlow continued to look the more dangerous team.
Milton’s Style saw his shot deflected for a corner, Pedley heading the ball away before Murray was called into action punching away a free kick.
United eventually increased their lead on 58 minutes Ollie Flints cross field pass finding Mason on the edge of the area where he side stepped two defenders and fired home the ball.
Marlow were now in complete control of the game as the home team looked demoralised and they should have gone further ahead two minutes after the goal when Ollie Flint blasted wide when a simple pass to the unmarked Mason would surely have bought the Marlow man his hat trick.
Murray saved with his feet on 72 minutes as Nowell found space in the area but United took an unassailable four goal lead 3 minutes later when Mason was tripped in the area and Bowler stepped up and capped a fine game converting the penalty kick.
Two substitutions on 80 minutes saw Pritchard and Benyon replacing Doswell and Brown and shortly after Milton scored their first goal as Murray misjudged a free kick from the left leaving Chalmer with a simple header.
United conceded a second in the last minute when Nowell found space on the left and his mishit cross come shot sailed over a bemused Murray and into the net.
The relief of the Marlow team and management was evident at the final whistle as the poor run finally came to an end in emphatic style.
FT 2-4
Team
C Murray, L Ovens, I Green, M Doswell (C) N Flint, D Pedley, O Flint, J Mason, L Brown, C Coull, J Bowler
Subs
D Buchanan for D Pedley 65 minutes
H Pritchard for L Brown 80 minutes
S Benyon for M Doswell 80 minutes
Goal scorers
O Flint 5 minutes
J Mason 40 and 58 minutes
J Bowler 75 minutes
Scores
Murray 7
Ovens 7
Green 7
Doswell 7
N Flint 7
D Pedley 7
O Flint 8
J Mason 8
L Brown 7
C Coull 8
J Bowler 8
Subs
Buchanan 6
Pritchard 6
Benyon 6
Man of the Match
CALLUM COULL