It was the turn of Marlow Women’s first team to excel in the England Hockey League this weekend, a thoroughly deserved 3-1 victory over Exeter earning them their first win of the new season in front of an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd at Pound Lane. Marlow started strongly, but failed to convert early penalty corner chances before taking the lead mid-way through the second quarter with a reverse stick flick from Poppy Godfrey, her first league goal for Marlow. Exeter rallied, and equalised from a penalty stroke just before half time. The second half saw more Marlow pressure, with man of the match Grace Kisby, Maddie Peacock and Kiera Allen dominating the midfield battle. The breakthrough came with just 7 minutes left on the clock when a rocket of a strike from Lottie Porter was tipped past the Exeter keeper by Lana Wallis to put Marlow 2-1 up. Marlow played sensibly and retained possession in the remainder of the game, earning another penalty corner in the final play of the game. Scoring her first league goal for Marlow, Ruby Balcome’s drag flick found the back of the net to see the final score at 3-1. This Saturday sees the team back on the road in Cheltenham, playing Lansdown HC.

Player of the match for the Women’s 1s Grace Kisby in action

Picture courtesy of Ian Foster @IFSportsImages

The Men’s first team had another long round-trip on Sunday, away at table-topping Chichester, and returned empty handed after a narrow 3-2 defeat. Chichester began emphatically, scoring from the first play and doubling their lead twelve minutes later. Marlow then found their rhythm, particularly through Joshua Morgans, who asked the Chichester defence a series of searching questions. He won a corner in the 22nd minute which Tom McKinley converted for his second goal in as many games. Eight minutes later, Tom Ferris notched his first goal of the season as he finished off a sharp Marlow counter-attack to make it 2-2 at half time. The second half saw the game grow in intensity, and Marlow were grateful to man of the match Will Hunter who made an excellent save from a penalty stroke. Chichester pressure finally told when a quick free hit was slammed into the circle and diverted into the net for the winning goal. Although currently at the bottom of a very tight table, Marlow can feel heartened by their performances against table-topping sides, and could climb as high as fourth if they win at home on Sunday (2.25pm) against Fareham.

Highlights from another successful Saturday for the club, which saw ten wins, two draws and two defeats, were 5 goals from Ella Middleton in the Women’s 7s 11-0 drubbing of Newbury and Thatcham 6s; six different scorers for the Men’s 3s in their 6-1 victory over Oxford 3s; goals for mother and daughter combination Lou and Emma Hale in the Women’s 4s 3-1 victory over Wycombe 3s; and a hat trick for Tim Frost in the Men’s 6s narrow 5-4 victory over Amersham and Chalfont 6s.