HIGHER AND HIGHER!

FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC

PREMIER DIVISION

Marlow United 4 Shrivenham 0

Marlow recorded their fourth league win in a row for the first time this season and in the process moved to 15^th position in the league, heady heights indeed as they attempt to finish the top dogs of Wilks Park.

In the process they condemned opponents Shrivenham to a nervous last week of the season as they battle with Abingdon to avoid the drop.

Marlow welcomed back Chris Rowley after several months as they rang the changes following Saturdays win over Pegasus and with four games to be played in 8 days.

The home team were soon into their stride with Pedley firing wide following good play from Coull and Brown; this after Shrivenham’s Thomas had missed the target in the first minute when well placed.

In fact it took only 6 minutes for the first goal to arrive when a Dickens corner from the left was missed by keeper Alford and the ball rebounded of a defender into the net.

United doubled their lead on 12 minutes with a delightful goal, full back Ryan Britnell finding Lewis Brown from the left wing, he in turn laid the ball back to Adam Dickens who fired home from 25 yards.

Two up and Marlow were dictating the game and creating numerous chances with Dickens and Rowley dominating the midfield and Mason, Coull and Brown stretching the Shrivenham defence.

The game changed on 25 minutes when Shrivenham full back Scott Lane was shown a straight red card for kicking Pedley after they clashed by the left hand corner flag.

The injured Pedley was replaced by Lee Ovens with Dan Flint moving to centre forward with brown moving wide left.

With the balance of the side changed Marlow lost the initiative to the away side and despite continuing to create chances it was Shrivenham who should have equalised on 40 minutes when a cross from the left was missed by Gill in the six yard box only for Silvanus to miss the target completely as the ball found him unmarked at the far post.

HT

2-0

Marlow picked up the pace in the second half Brown collecting Mason’s through ball on his chest only for Alford to collect the ball.

Coull then combined with Mason, his cross from the right finding Dickens who fired over.

Seconds later it was Britnell who missed the target following a build up involving Ovens and Brown.

Shrivenham threatened on 52 minutes with Flockton firing over from a free kick before Gill missed what would prove to be the first of several missed chances, firing wide after intercepting Doswell’s misplaced passed with only Ramsey to beat.

Shortly after this both sets of players were involved in a free for all after Coull was elbowed in the face in an off the ball incident.

The referee took no action after consulting with his assistants, presumably as the incident was not witnessed by any of the officials.

Shrivenham’s Gill then missed another gilt edged opportunity to open his team’s account on the hour, missing the target again with only the keeper to beat.

A minute later he was regretting his profligacy as Marlow scored their third.

Lee Ovens played a through ball to Lewis Brown.

He dummied the on rushing keeper and laid the ball into the path of Coull who slotted home from close range much to his delight as he taunted his assailant of 5 minutes previous.

Scot Webb replaced Britnell as United rang the changes before Rowley found himself in the book after a scuffle with Silvanus, the referee indicating the yellow card was given after several fouls by the same player, a booking that would soon come back to haunt the Marlow man.

From the resultant free kick Shrivenham hit the bar before the ball was cleared after an almighty scramble in which Ramsey twice blocked goal bound efforts.

Gill then missed his third golden opportunity, once again missing the goal when clear.

Marlow then found them selves reduced to ten men when Rowley was shown his second yellow card for a tackle, a decision which looked extremely harsh on the combative midfielder, winning the ball cleanly as he did.

Ben Filmore replaced an injured Brown on 73 minutes before Shrivenham sub Carter incredibly missed another one on one, firing his shot at Ramsey.

Again the away side were soon regretting yet another miss as Dan Flint converted Mason’s cross from the right with a sweet volley on 82 minutes, the converted centre forward expressing his delight at scoring.

The game was over now but there was still time for the away team to squander yet another effort with Carter, again, missing the target when put through.

Manager Kevin Carvell was happy with the overall performance “They (Shrivenham) came with everything to play for, knowing a win would make them safe and I was delighted with our attitude to the game.

If we can keep this run going a halfway position is just about possible although with three more games in a week it won’t be easy”

FT 4-0

Team

Ramsey, Flint, Doswell, Benyon, Britnell, Pedley, Rowley, Dickens, Coull, Mason, Brown

Subs

Ovens for Pedley,

Webb for Britnell,

Filmore for Brown

Booked

Coull

Rowley (two Yellows)

Scorers

OG 6 minutes

Dickens 12 minutes

Coull 61 minutes

Flint 82 minutes

Scores

M Ramsey  6

D Flint  6

R Britnell  6

M Doswell  7

S Benyon  6

D Pedley  6

C Rowley  6

A Dickens  8

C Coull  7

J Mason  7

L Brown  6

Subs

L Ovens  6

S Webb 6

B Filmore  6

Man of the Match

ADAM DICKENS