10 MAN MARLOW SHOCK WITNEY

FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC

PREMIER DIVISION

Witney United 1 Marlow United 2

Marlow upset the odds, defeating Witney United by 2 goals to one, moving them selves to a heady 5^th place in the league in the process and ending the home teams six game winning run at the Polythene UK Stadium.

Marlow welcomed back Nick Flint to partner Tristan Heywood in the centre of the defence, Dan Pedley stepping down to the bench, in the only change from Saturdays draw with Binfield.

The home team played the first half with a strong wind in their backs and from the off they attempted to utilise the elements, hitting long balls to their front two of Thompson and Johnson.

United, with Leigh Mason excelling in midfield attempted to keep the ball on the floor as they counter attacked with some success.

United felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty on 6 minutes, Jon Mason taking Filmore’s high ball in his stride only to be unceremoniously upended in the area as he was about to shoot, the referee mysteriously deciding that no offence had been committed.

Witney countered and almost took the lead after McMahon’s run ended with a scuffed shot of the post, the ball rebounding to a grateful Murray in the Marlow goal.

The away team took the lead on 14 minutes, Jon Mason’s free kick from the left being guided inside the far post by Ollie Flint.

Witney continued to play the ball up to Johnson but he was being well marshalled by Marlow’s captain, Tristan Heywood and chances were few and far between for the home team.

Leigh Mason continued to torment the Blanket men’s defenders jinking past two defenders only for his cross to be cleared.

The home team applied some concerted pressure without really threatening before Heywood made the first of many block tackles as Witney broke quickly.

Marlow had the last word with Leigh Mason breaking down the left after collecting brother Jon’s pass, beating two defenders and seeing his low shot brilliantly saved at the near post by Okole.

HT 0-1

Marlow began the second half brightly, Nichol, Leigh and Jon Mason combining with the latter’s shot being cleared before a Webb through ball resulted in Jon Mason winning a corner.

Heywood then embarked on a run his ball finding Mason, his cross being cleared.

After this bright start the away side found themselves under increasing pressure as Witney looked for the equaliser, sub Byfield being prominent down the left.

McMahon saw his free kick go wide before his run ended with a shot being fired over.

United were under constant pressure and they contributed to their own problems by continually giving the ball away.

They were indebted the their back four in which Heywood was outstanding for restricting Witney to half chances, manager Kevin Carvell replacing Filmore with Middleton on 62 minutes as he attempted to refresh the midfield.

Lewis fired over for the home team and Johnson bought a fine save from Murray on 65 minutes with a low shot which was pushed away for a corner.

Dan Pedley entered the fray on 67 minutes, replacing Corbett, only to be sent of 3 minutes later for striking Byfield, who received a caution, after a clash between the two players, leaving United to play out the last 20 minutes with 10 men.

Two minutes later Nichol fired wide from 20 yards in a rare United attack in what was to be his last action of the evening his injured knee forcing his retirement, Chris Paget replacing him.

Heywood saved Marlow again with a superb headed clearance McMahon seeing his effort go wide from the corner.

Marlow sealed the game on 78 minutes as Leigh Mason collected a long clearance and skipped past several challenges only for Okole to upend the Marlow man in the area, the keeper receiving a caution for his troubles.

Mason stepped up and fired the kick into the goal to give Marlow a two goal cushion.

Sub Bridges missed horribly on 81 minutes when Byfield’s cross found him unmarked 12 yards out, his shot screwing well wide.

Witney continued to huff and puff to little effect until a cross from the right found the unmarked Johnson in the 6 yard box on 89 minutes and he had the simple task of firing past a stranded Murray.

Marlow had one more scare as Murray was forced to clear into touch from an advancing Johnson but from then on they played out the final few minutes of injury time to record a superb win.

Manager Kevin Carvell was jubilant at the final whistle “What a magnificent result for our club, probably the best since we were promoted.

We can build on this and if we can put out our strongest team we can give anyone a decent game in this league”

FT 1-2

Team

Murray, Ovens, N Flint, Heywood, Webb, O Flint, Corbett, Filmore, L Mason, J Mason, A Nichol.

Subs

Middleton for Filmore  62 mins

Pedley for Corbett 67 mins

Paget for Nichol 72 mins

Goals

Ollie Flint 14 minutes

Leigh Mason  78 minutes (pen)

Booked

Ollie Flint,

L Ovens,

D Pedley sent off

Scores

Murray  8

Ovens  8

N Flint  8

Heywood  9

Webb  8

O flint  8

Filmore  8

Corbett  8

L Mason   8

J Mason  8

Nichol  8

Subs

Middleton  7

Pedley  ?

Paget  7

Man of the Match

TRISTAN HEYWOOD