FTL FUTBOL
Hellenic League Premier Division
UNITED BOUNCE BACK
Marlow United 2 Old Woodstock Town 0
Marlow United bounced back from their longest losing sequence for several seasons with a well deserved victory over a battling Old Woodstock.
The win ended a six match losing streak and the clean sheet was the first for eight games.
It can be no coincidence that manager Kevin Carvell had a full squad to choose from for the first time this season with no fewer than five fresh faces from the weekend defeat at Shrivenham.
Old Woodstock began the game in positive style gaining a corner in the first minute as Murray fumbled an early effort and although the keeper punched the resultant kick clear Filmore had to block the follow up effort from Woodstock’s Dunmall the latter having to be subbed after sustaining a cut in the process.
United’s first attack featured the experienced Bowler, making his first start of the season, who found space on the left to send in a dangerous cross in the 4th minute.
On 8 minutes Lewis brown found space in the area, gathering the ball and firing in a shot that was blocked.
The home team were looking the more dangerous of the two teams with both Brown and James Flint testing the Woodstock defence with their pace and energy.
Marlow’s Rowley went into the book for a late challenge which whilst not malicious epitomised the battling qualities of the home team who were determined to reverse the team’s recent losing run.
None more so than full back Lee Ovens who never missed a tackle through out the first half who along with his co defenders restricted the away team to few efforts in the half.
Woodstock’s Gilkes wasted one of those efforts, firing wide after a quick break on 22 minutes.
James Flint was injured in a clash with Woodstock’s Perkins, the latter being lucky not to find himself in the book for a late challenge, Heywood heading the resultant free kick wide.
Woodstock almost opened the scoring on 42 minutes with the ball being fired across the goal from the left before Marlow eventually broke the deadlock a minute latter, James Flint finding Bowler after winning the ball and the Marlow wide mans cross finding Ollie Flint 20 yards out from goal.
The Marlow youngster struck a superb shot over keeper Foster and into the net for the lead.
United nearly doubled the lead on 45 minutes when another Bowler cross found Filmore who fired wide.
HT 1-0
Marlow began the second period on the offence Brown’s run and cross evading everyone.
United really had the bit between their teeth now Brown and Flint testing the Woodstock back four with Rowley, Ollie Flint and Heywood all joining in the assault.
Woodstock still enjoyed a fair amount of possession but they rarely troubled the United goal such was the resolve of the home teams back four.
On 65 minutes the home team gained a succession of four corners, Foster twice pushing efforts over the bar before Rowley fired wide.
Rowley set up Ollie Flint who saw his shot saved two minutes later with brother James firing wide as the ball came back into the area.
Heywood came to the rescue of the home team on 68 minutes hooking the ball clear whilst under pressure then handing a free kick to Woodstock on the edge of the area with a handball, Roberts effort evading the wall and shaving the outside of the right post.
Marlow bought on subs Pedley and Cuva for the tiring Ollie and James Flint.
Pedley set up Brown only to see the Marlow forwards shot hit the post on 79 minutes.
It was Pedley who almost doubled the lead on 86 minutes his shot on the run hitting the top of the cross bar before a Rowley pass almost let in Woodstock for an equaliser.
As it was United made the game safe in the 89th minute when Britnell found Cuva, the subs cross finding an unmarked Ben Filmore on the edge of the area. After an uncertain first touch he fired home from 18 yards to secure a deserved win for the home team.
Woodstock passed up the opportunity of a consolation goal when Mills fired wide with just the keeper to beat in injury time and United played out the remaining time without further scares.
FT 2-0
After the game relieved manager Kevin Carvell said “Delighted with the win, that result was deserved, the lads showed real commitment and we can now push up the table”
Team.
C Murray, L Ovens, R Britnell, N Flint, T Heywood, O Flint, B Filmore, C Rowley, J Bowler, J Flint, L Brown
Subs
D Pedley for O Flint 71 minutes
V Cuva for J Flint 77 minutes
Scores
Murray 7
Ovens 8
Britnell 7
N Flint 7
T Heywood 8
O Flint 7
B Filmore 7
C Rowley 7
J Bowler 8
J Flint 7
L Brown 8
Subs
Pedley 7
Cuva 7
MOM
Lee Ovens