SEASON OF GOODWILL

FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC

PREMIER DIVISION

Marlow United - 0 Reading Town - 6

In this season of goodwill Marlow gift wrapped 6 goals and three points to in form rivals Reading Town who in the process avenged their earlier defeat at the hands of United, a team who now appear a shadow of the side who gained their first ever win in the premier division over Reading back in August.

Any chance Marlow had of gaining a result from this game virtually disappeared after 8 minutes when following a free kick to Reading which the home struggled to clear the ball eventually went for a corner.

From the kick Reading were awarded a penalty for a push and although Ramsey saved the Spence spot kick and the follow up was cleared of the line the ball eventually found Rees who fired home from 8 yards.

As is the case when a team is struggling heads went down and Riccio headed over soon after.

United managed to steady the ship although the away team were playing the better football, their passing and movement often having the home team defence at full stretch.

That’s not to say that Marlow were constantly under pressure with Ovens, Webb and Wiltshire all having attempts on goal and gaining several free kicks and corners as the half progressed.

Reading were then denied what looked a certain penalty on 25 minutes as Spence was felled in the area only for the official to wave play on.

Callum Coull became the first booking following a late tackle only to be quickly followed by Readings Hancock who was deemed to have pulled back Wiltshire as he ran on to a Nick Flint clearance.

From the free kick both Coull and Buchanan had shots blocked before eventually going for a goal kick.

From this Readings Lewis bought out a fine save from Ramsey with a crisp shot.

That only delayed the second goal which duly arrived after a free kick on the Reading right was headed home unchallenged by Hancock on 32 minutes.

Further chances came and went as the home team struggled to contain a now rampant Town with Spence in particular seeing two efforts go close.

HT 0-2

Hopes of a Marlow revival were extinguished after 3 minutes when Lewis latched onto a long ball and outstripped the United defence before firing under a hesitant Ramsey in the home goal.

United could have replied almost immediately as Wiltshire blazed over from the edge of the area after Coull flicked on a corner.

Coull then fired over following a cross before Reading scored again, Lewis pulling the ball back into the path of Rees who fired home his second and Readings fourth on 56 minutes.

Once again United responded with a clear chance, this time Wiltshire seeing his header from Webb’s corner cleared off the line.

With this chance gone Marlow were struggling to contain the Reading team who looked capable of scoring on almost every attack.

The fact that they only managed two more was down to some desperate defending and wayward finishing.

Sub Clark added the fifth on 82 minutes following a free kick and to rub salt in the wounds a further penalty was converted by Suarez on 85 minutes to complete the scoring.

A demoralised Marlow trooped of wondering where and how to stop the rot as their season appears to be disintegrating match by match.

Team

M Ramsey, L Ovens, N Flint, S Benyon, R Britnell, D Pedley, D Buchanan, S Webb, C Coull, G Wiltshire, L Brown

Subs

A Hale for L Brown 67 minutes

V Cuva for S Webb 69 minutes

Booked

C Coull

G Wiltshire

S Benyon

Scores

Ramsey 5

Ovens 6

Flint 5

Benyon 4

Britnell 4

Pedley 5

Webb 6

Buchanan 4

Coull 5

Wiltshire 5

Brown 5

Subs

Hale 5

Cuva 5

Man of the Match

LEE OVENS