Marlow women’s 1s welcomed Clifton Robinsons 2s from Bristol to Pound Lane in a momentous first National League game. It was a tough opening match for Marlow as Clifton Robinsons were runners-up in the Conference West league last year.

The match started at a fast pace, with both defences soaking up pressure. The breakthrough came for Marlow with some excellent passing culminating in a ball from Beth Halbard finding Lauren Hilditch who slotted the ball past the Clifton keeper to take the lead. Clifton levelled the scoring with their own strike which Marlow keeper Alys Ramm was unable to save. Marlow had earned another penalty corner but some great defending by the Clifton player on the post denied the home side the lead.

Both sides continued to play attacking hockey, ensuring that the crowd were entertained. New signing Indiana Gomarsall showed her grit and determination with some amazing tackles and interceptions in the midfield.

The second half started with the score still level.
Despite some amazing defending from Ellie Lane and her defence, Clifton took the lead 10 minutes into the half. Marlow continued to fight back and the superstar defender Ellie Lane turned goal scorer with a deflection at a penalty corner to level the scores once again. The Reds continued to fight to steal the win with Martha Goodridge slotting the goal past the Clifton keeper with 10 minutes remaining. Clifton did not give up either; moments after Marlow gained the lead, they equalised leaving the score at 3-3. Clifton earned a penalty corner in the dying minutes of the game but the Marlow defence stayed strong and the Reds earned their first National league points in history with a draw against a very experienced side.

Other women's results:-
2nd team played Reading 4 away and won 3-1
3rd team beat Witney 2 1-0
4s beat Wycombe 2 4-0
5s lost 5-0 away to S Berks 2
7s beat Henley 5 2-0

Men's results

The men's 1st team, still in S Central Premier League 1 started their campaign with a bang against South Berkshire at Pound Lane and scored in the third minute through Louis Cadinouche with a shot on the turn. They continued attacking and soon forced a penalty corner, well converted by captain Sam North.
After halftime Marlow continued to dominate and goals came regularly after Louis put Marlow three ahead, followed shortly after with his hat trick with a clever deflection from a lob into the goalmouth by Cameron Beasley-Clarke. Sam North notched another goal from a penalty corner and finally, a sweeping move involving several players saw young Theo Seymour making his 1st team debut, tap the ball into the net to make the final score 6-0 to Marlow.
New goalkeeper Henry Saxby had little to do throughout the game but when called into action dealt well with some difficult moments.
The game was too one-sided to be over-optimistic for the season but they will be a handful for anyone on this form.
The Men's 2nd team were supposed to be playing Andover 1sts away but their opponents dropped out of the league at the last moment which was disappointing.

Other men's results:-

3rd team beat Eastcote 4 1-0 away
4ths drew 3-3 against Abingdon 2s
5ths lost 4-3 away to Yateley 2s
6s lost 3-1 away to Slough Despondents
7s beat Yateley 5 2-0