UNITED HANG ON

FTL FUTBOL HELLENIC

PREMIER DIVISION

Marlow United 1 Old Woodstock Town 0 

Marlow withstood a second half storm  from opponents Woodstock and a hurricane force gale from the elements to record back to back wins in the league for the first time this season.

The rock hard pitch and strong wind resulted in a poor game of football for the sparse crowd in which both teams used the elements to their advantage with Marlow scoring the only goal of the game on 4 minutes, Leigh Mason slotting home from 12 yards following good work by Chris Paget and brother Jon.

United kicked off with the wind at their backs and won their first corner on 45 seconds.

Woodstock retaliated 2 minutes later with Wise turning on the edge of the area and firing off a speculative shot which saw Murray scampering across his goal as the ball went wide.

United went back up the field with Leigh Mason’s shot finding keeper Smith before he opened the scoring on 4 minutes.

The game was swinging back and forth at this stage and the home team were indebted to Dan Pedley for blocking a goal bound shot on the line from Wise when it appeared the Woodstock forward must score.

Woodstock looked to catch the home team on the break with both Denton and Wise causing problems for the central defensive partnership of Flint and Wiltshire.

Thomas and Wise, twice, had shots before Gilkes saw his shot skim the bar as the away team attempted to level the score.

With centre forward Nicol having a quiet game up front the home team struggled to dent the Woodstock defence although Ollie Flint, Jon Mason and brother Leigh all had attempts on goal, the latter twice firing over as the half closed.

Marlow just about deserved their slender lead having restricted Woodstock to half chances.

Ht 1-0

If anything the wind strength increased as the half progressed and subsequently the home team had difficulty in mounting any sustained pressure although they twice crossed the ball into the Woodstock area early on through Nicol and Ollie Flint with no player following up.

For Woodstock Denton went close on two occasions as they piled on the pressure and a tired Leigh Mason was replaced on 61 minutes by Adam Harman as the home team attempted to stem the flow toward their goal.

Marlow then put together their best move of the half, Ollie Flint, Harman, Nicol and Jon Mason combining before the latter’s cross was met by Harman his shot being blocked inside the 6 yard box.

Woodstock hit back with Wise heading over from close range following across from the left before Ollie Flint retired injured, Webb replacing him.

Harman then found himself in space in the Woodstock area firing the ball at the keeper before Wise stole in behind Flint at the other end, heading the ball into the ground and over the bar.

Ross Middleton replaced Filmore on 77 minutes and the sub played Harman in behind the defence forcing keeper Smith to head the ball clear.

Woodstock sub Shaw found himself in space on the edge of the Marlow area and turning inside saw his shot saved by Murray when he really should  have equalised.

Middleton and Ovens both entered the ref’s notebook for late challenges as the home team weathered the Woodstock pressure, Flint, Webb and Pedley all clearing crosses as time ran out.

Webb embarked on a run and cross down the left before Paget cleared a long throw for a corner at the other end which went wide before the game ended.

Manager Kevin Carvell was happy with the result if not the performance after the game stating “The elements ruined the game and we were hanging on in the second half. It’s nice to keep a clean sheet and that was a game we would have lost last season so I can’t be too hard on the players”

FT1-0

Team. Murray, Ovens, Wiltshire, N Flint, Pedley, O Flint,  Filmore,  Paget, J Mason, L Mason, Nicol

Subs

Adam Harman for Leigh Mason  61 minutes

Scot Webb for Ollie Flint  67 minutes

Ross Middleton for Ben Filmore  77 minutes

Scorer

Leigh Mason 4 minutes

Scores

C Murray   7

L Ovens  6

G Wiltshire  5

N Flint  5

D Pedley  7

O Flint  5

B Filmore  5

C Paget  5

J Mason  7

A Nicol  5

L Mason  6

Subs

Harman  6

Webb  6

Middleton  6

Man of the Match

CARL MURRAY