RELEGATION FEARS LOOM

FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC

PREMIER DIVISION

Marlow United - 1 Wantage Town - 6

Marlow suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of Wantage Town to bring the threat of relegation a step closer.

Playing for the first time since their cup winning performance at Hungerford United surely expected to gain something against opponents who they defeated 2-0 just five weeks ago.

When they went one up in just 20 seconds, Nicol seizing on indecision in the Wantage midfield, his 30 yard shot cannoning of the post to Nick Flint who picked his spot from 12 yards it looked as if that optimism was justified.

Eight minutes later they found themselves 2-1 down, Wantage hitting back through Danny Keen who netted both goals, the first from 20 yards after Doswell and Middleton both failed to clear the ball and the second from the penalty spot after Middleton handled a through ball, receiving a yellow card for his troubles when it could easily have been a red.

For the remainder of the half the home team struggled to gain a foothold in the game with to many players showing a distinct lack of effort as Wantage dominated proceedings.

Their cause was not helped when captain Doswell retired with a groin injury on 34 minutes, Flint moving to centre half with Lewis Brown entering the fray.

HT 1-2

Any hope of a home revival disappeared within 30 seconds of the restart as Nick Flint lost possession from the kick off allowing Belcher the opportunity to increase Wantage’s lead.

Flint was immediately replaced by Ian Green as Marlow attempted to bolster their defence but within 8 minutes Keen had completed his hat trick picking up a through ball and scoring past Murray.

At this point the Marlow keeper went down with an injury and was replaced by Ryan Britnell in goal with Ben Filmore the sub.

Adam Dickens who worked his socks off in a vain effort to get Marlow back into the game saw his effort fly across the face of the goal before Brown missed United’s best chance of the half, hesitating in the box when clear and allowing Wantage to clear the danger.

With several players receiving injuries the home team were looking ragged and it came as no surprise when McKeon hit goal number five on 77 minutes.

Ryan made a good save from Jones before Horsell wrapped up the scoring with a headed effort on 81 minutes.

FT

1-6

With seven games to play in the next three weeks Marlow’s season rests on gaining at least three wins to ensure they retain their premiership status.

They simply cannot afford any more performances similar to the Wantage game otherwise it will back to division one East.

Team

Murray, Ovens, Britnell, Doswell, Benyon, Middleton, Flint, Dickens, Nicol, Mason, Pedley

Subs

I Green for N Flint

B Filmore for C Murray

L Brown for M Doswell

Goal

N Flint 20 seconds

Scores

C Murray  6

L Ovens  6

R Britnell 7

M Doswell  6

S Benyon  7

R Middleton  5

N Flint  5

A Dickens  8

A Nicol  6

J Mason  5

D Pedley  6

Subs

I Green  6

B Filmore  6

L Brown  6

Man of the Match

ADAM DICKENS