Marlow in the mix for the EH Plate

Following a professional game of danger hockey, using Graeme’s sole ball, Marlow were ready to play, and it was up to the loudest man on the team, Chatterbox Shades, to give them their final instructions, and motivate them for the match. Unsurprisingly, the “1,2,3 Marlow” that ensued was the worst anyone on the pitch had ever experienced.

With some fantastically organised high-pressing, Marlow were soon on top, and with Pat Shhhtaal running the midfield, Winchmore struggled to get out of their own half. Excellent runs from Jess and Hannah down the right hand side were ruined by profligate finishing from buoyant BA. Despite this, it wasn’t long before Marlow made a mark on the scoresheet, with a stellar drag-flick from notorious loudmouth Tom Grey limply looping into the goal.

Despite going a goal up, Marlow maintained their relentless pressure, and it wasn’t long before they had their second goal. Another PCA saw Tom Grey at the top of the circle again. Pat Shhhhtaal finally managed to inject the ball, and a horrendously bad drag-flick from Tom ‘not as good as Josie’ Grey was rescued by Matt ‘the Ripper’ Bilsland, who calmly took the ball around the keeper and slotted it home.

With Greg and Ella competing to see who could pass the least and Tom Grey being
repeatedly body-checked, it was up to Ed and Ange to keep Graeme from touching his ball. Defensive solidity was the foundation of Marlow’s next goal, as Sophie ‘I have an Ironing Lady’ Willis nicked the ball from a Winchmore defender, and following a 30 metre sprint calmly tucked the ball past the goalie by their near post. Credit has to go to BA, who assured us he was distracting the goalie.

Marlow had a comfortable lead going into half time, and there was more good news, as Josie ‘Chomet’ Nash and Laneo both arrived. Fortunately, this meant that Marlow no longer had to rely on Tom “Top bins aren’t in my locker” Grey for drag-flicking.

Even with such complete dominance, Marlow continued to exhibit outstandingly fluid total hockey, and it was BA who found the net for their next goal, with an utterly forgettable finish, possibly into the top bins, but equally possibly dribbling down the middle.

With another PCA effort came another goal, as Josie ‘better than Tom’ Nash stepped up and ripped a drag-flick into the top left corner, showing everyone what Marlow had been missing in the first half.

More aimless dribbling from Greedy Greg and Greedy Ella was to be the undoing of Marlow, as a rapid counter attack from Winchmore was finished off by none other than BA, with a remarkable own goal, slotting it past Graeme from a tight angle, to complete his hattrick.

This minor setback was quickly forgotten, in a similar manner to BA’s second goal, as the best move of the game was finished off by Hannah on the far post following an outstanding cross from Laneo.

At the end of the day, Marlow had emerged victorious, with Sophie ‘William’ Willis MOM, and Tom ‘bruised and battered’ Grey the DOD.