Marlow Men’s first team had yet another long away trip on Sunday, visiting Devon for the third time in six weeks to play Isca at Exeter University, returning with a point which could easily have been three after a 3-3 draw.

Isca were opportunistic throughout, never more so than in the 23rd minute, when Tommy Taylor opened the scoring for the home side from close range after a lapse in Marlow’s defensive organisation. The lead didn’t last long, Marlow replying four minutes later, as captain Sam North finished a penalty corner routine into the right side netting, and the reds then took the lead just before half time when White coolly flicked home.

Jayden Zamler made it 3-1 early in the second half when he pounced on a rebound for his eighth goal in five games and gave Marlow the opportunity to put themselves out of Isca’s reach. Chances came, but Isca were equal to them, particularly when their left-post defender made his third goal-line save of the game, somehow parrying a low, fast flick up and over the crossbar.

Isca then pushed the accelerator in the final quarter, throwing bodies forwards in attack and after ten minutes of intense pressure, they converted a penalty corner through Jos Smith, and scored the equaliser in the final two minutes through Taylor. One final potentially cruel twist saw Isca win a penalty corner on the final whistle, but Marlow keeper Will Hunter stretched to save emphatically and Marlow earned a half-relieved, half-aggrieved point on the road, leaving them fourth in the West Conference table.

Marlow Women’s 1s were brought back to earth with a bump, on Saturday, scratching their heads as to how they managed to return home from Slough with a 2-0 defeat. Marlow started aggressively with a great high turnover from Lena Sykora, which came to nothing, after which Slough countered and earned their own attacking penalty corner which they put over the crossbar. The home side then scored the opening goal with a breakaway leading to a great piece of individual skill which beat Marlow keeper Alys Ramm.

Marlow fought back and won their own penalty corners which the Slough keeper saved. A great ball from Lottie Porter rocketed past the back post but there was no red stick to deflect it in. In the second quarter, Marlow earned more possession and peppered the Slough goal but with no reward leaving the half time score 1-0.

Marlow dominated the second half with numerous more attacking penalty corners but were unable to break the Slough defence. Against the run of play, Slough doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Ramm saved the first shot but was unable to stop the follow up. The result was a frustrating one for Marlow who dominated possession and territory for most of the game but were unable to capitalise on the chances they had. They remain in sixth position in the West Conference, but with a depleted advantage over the sides below them.

Lower down the club, Marlow sides are well placed in their respective leagues, with no team lower than mid-table after eight games. Bragging rights currently sit with the Men’s 3s and 4s, and Women’s 5s, all of whom sit top of their tables.

Performance of the day came from Marlow’s Men’s 3s who visited joint league leaders Newbury and Thatcham, and returned victorious after a 1-0 win. Marlow dominated the game, with the Newbury keeper performing heroics throughout, and Marlow had to wait until mid-way through the second half when James Ashburner both won and scored a penalty corner. Marlow’s man of the match was Josh Mustard, who kept the Newbury number nine quiet all game.

Marlow Mens 7s then continued the run by beating Newbury and Thatcham 5s straight after the 3s game, scoring in the first minutes of the game and despite peppering the goal with shots the score remained and finished 0-1 to Marlow with a well deserved victory.

Captain Sam North, scorer of Marlow’s opening goal on Sunday
Image courtesy of @gmwsportphoto