Dave Harding
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Marlow Women’s 1sts were beaten for the first time this season as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at Trojans on Saturday.
However, Martha Goodridge’s side once again showed they can be competitive in the National League Conference West following their promotion from the South Central league’s last season.
The Reds started well on the south coast and dominated the early stages. Despite having a few new faces in the side, they linked up well but were unable to capitalise on several penalty corners.
From one of them, Marlow saw a shot cleared off the goal line by the Trojans with the hosts’ goal leading something of a charmed life.
Had they managed to get their noses in front, the outcome of this first away clash could have been very different, however, the Trojans stepped up their game after the interval and forced Marlow onto the back foot.
The game became more ill-disciplined, with both sides shown cards, but Marlow continued to show their determination – typified by the play of Indianna Gomersall against her former club. She was named player of the match after the final whistle but was powerless to prevent Trojans scoring the only goal of the game from a penalty corner, their captain slotting the ball past Marlow keeper Alys Ramm.
The final whistle sounded shortly afterwards, and Marlow were forced to accept they’d lost a game they’d more than played their part in and deserved more from. It’s their first loss of the season after last weekend’s creditable 3-3 home draw with Clifton Robinsons 2nds at Pound Lane.
Other results: – The 2nd team played away to Buckingham2s and lost 2-1, 3s lost 1-0 away to Amersham & Chalfont 3, 4s beat the Marlow 5s 3-0, 6s drew 2-2 with Henley3, 7s lost 3-0 to South Berks 5
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Marlow Men’s 1sts also played out a tight and cagey encounter away to local rivals Slough 1sts, however, they were able to take all three points thanks to a brilliant team goal finished off by Dave Harding.
Slough caused Marlow plenty of problems in the first half but couldn’t break the deadlock, while at the other end, Henry May did well to create space for himself in the D but couldn’t apply the finish.
Slough’s optimism was punctured in the 44th minute when Harding picked up the ball just inside his 25 and played some give-and-go hockey with his teammates, exchanging four passes before sweeping the ball past the Slough keeper.
Marlow then managed to take the sting out of the game and thwart their hosts to come away with all three points.
The result takes Marlow top of the early season table on goal difference ahead of this Saturday’s home game against Oxford University. The students have also started the season well and six fourth with two victories so far.
The men’s 2nd team had a tougher afternoon as they went down to a 5-0 defeat against an experienced Fareham.
Fareham were simply too strong defensively against a youthful Marlow side – many of whom were playing together for the first time.
They clinically took their chances to win 5-0 and the scoreline might have been more severe but for the heroics of Marlow keeper Ivor Crampsie.
Other results: – 3rd team drew 3-3 with S. Berks2 3-3, 4s beat Henley 3 1-0 away, 5s lost 5-4 to Thame 2s, 6s beat Newbury and Thatcham 5 3-1, 7s drew 4-4 with Staines 4 away
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Maidenhead Men’s 1sts weren’t in action at the weekend, but they’ll look to pick up their first points of the South Central Men’s Division 1 North season when they visit Wycombe 1sts on Saturday.
While rivals were in action on Saturday’s Maidenhead’s home game against Wallingford didn’t take place and the postponed fixture means Maids are in 10th place heading into Saturday’s game against bottom of the table Wycombe.
The men’s side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at Newbury & Thatcham – now second – on the opening day of the season.
Wycombe have lost both of their matches so far at home to Amersham & Chalfont 1sts (5-1) and away to Banbury 2nds (3-2).
Maidenhead Women’s 1sts picked up their first point of the season as they drew 3-3 with Bournemouth Women’s 1sts at Altwood School Astro on Saturday.
Mimi Wilton scored all three goals as Bournemouth went 3-1 ahead in the second half, but Maids hit back with two goals in as many minutes to rescue a draw.
This Saturday, Maidenhead host Oxford Hawks 2nds who have lost both of their matches so far.
