UNITED CRASH
FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC
PREMIER DIVISION
Shortwood United 4 Marlow United 0
Marlow were unable to build on their recent improved form crashing to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of high flying Shortwood as the home team punished the Marlow defence with some clinical finishing.
Just finding the home teams Meadowbank ground is worth the award of at least one point, tucked away at the top of a hill on in the middle of nowhere as it is, although once found it is worth the effort and the reception off the field was excellent.
On the field Shortwood showed why they are one of the favourites to pick up the league title winning this encounter with out playing well, particularly in the first half, when Marlow will feel disappointed to have gone in at half time a goal down.
It was the away team who began the game in confident style initiating the first attack with Britnell, Doswell, Webb and Ovens combining, the latter’s cross going wide.
Adam Lanaway then shot over before a strong run by James Flint ended with Ben Filmore firing over.
Filmore saw a free kick cleared as the home team continued to look lethargic and a Doswell corner was cleared on 11 minutes.
Shortwood finally threatened on 14 minutes when Captain Casey fired wide and Marlow broke quickly with Filmore and Lanaway combining to set up Flint.
Filmore became the first booking for kicking the ball away by an over fussy official before Shortwood’s Pugh fired wide from a right wing cross.
James Flint saw a an excellent cross go to waste on 25 minutes as he continued to be a threat to the home defence although by now the home team began to impose their game on Marlow with the impressive Casey dominating the centre of the park.
The latter part of the half saw Shortwood continually probing the Marlow defence with out really threatening to take the lead although Ramsey was called on to clear several dangerous balls in the area.
They were thankful to full back Lee Ovens who cleared the ball of the line from a corner on 40 minutes before the home team took the lead 4 minutes later.
From a throw on the ball was flicked on by Casey to Green who headed home from close range to give the home team a one goal lead to take into the break.
HT 1-0
Marlow began the second half with a series of corners before Shortwood hit the bar with Casey heading on a Pugh free kick.
Marlow continued to press for the equaliser winning further corners before a Filmore free kick on 60 minutes found the head of Heywood the ball dropping to Doswell in the 6 yard box. The midfielder saw his snap shot deflected off a defender for a further corner as United’s best chance of the game went begging.
Within 2 minutes Marlow were to regret that miss as Shortwood doubled their lead.
Ovens was booked for pulling back Johnstone and from the free kick Ramsey saw the ball rebound of his chest and Green followed up to score his second of the game.
At 2-0 there looked no way back for the away team as Lanaway was replaced by promising youngster Harry Pritchard and a subdued Lewis Brown was replaced by Cuva.
The away team changed to a 4-3-3 formation in an effort to pull back a goal and in the process saw Shortwood expose the lack of cover in the Marlow defence.
Shortwood’s Johnstone saw a terrific effort cannon of the cross bar before the home team saw a goal disallowed for offside.
Green completed his hat trick on 83 minutes with a headed goal before Doswell missed another opportunity to open Marlow’s account scooping the ball over the bar from close range after Pritchard had won a challenge with keeper Thomas.
Pritchard finished a promising run with Thomas pulling off an excellent save from his shot and the same player saw his free kick clear the Shortwood wall only for Thomas to collect with ease.
Shortwood rubbed salt into the wounds with a fourth goal on 90 minutes as sub Baldwin scored following a corner giving the score line a rather lopsided look.
Manager Kevin Carvell was philosophical after the game “We knew this would be a tough place to come to, let alone find, and so it proved. They must be one of the favourites for the title and although disappointed with the score line I felt there were some positives for us to take from the game”
FT 4-0
Team.
M Ramsey, L Ovens, R Britnell, R Crawford, T Heywood, A Lanaway, M Doswell, B Filmore, S Webb, L Brown, J Flint.
Subs
Harry Pritchard for Adam Lanaway 65 minutes
Lewis Brown for Vinnie Cuva 66 minutes
Scores
M Ramsey 6
L Ovens 6
R Britnell 6
R Crawford 7
T Heywood 6
A Lanaway 6
M Doswell 6
B Filmore 6
S Webb 5
L Brown 5
J Flint 8
Subs
H Pritchard 7
V Cuva 6
Man of the Match
JAMES FLINT