Saturday’s task for Marlow’s women was the more daunting of the two, as they faced a side which narrowly missed out on promotion from the West Conference last year, and is strongly tipped to go one step better this season. Trojans lived up to their billing with two goals in the first ten minutes, and doubled their lead to four shortly before half time. Two of the goals were somewhat controversial, but there was no doubt the Southampton side were worth their lead.

The second half followed a different pattern as Marlow found their stride, combining some strong attacks with resolute defending. Multiple penalty corner awards highlighted the shift in possession and pressure, and from one of these Keira Allen scored from a deflection to bring respectability to the score, which finished 4-1. Beth Hymas-Jones and Zoe Clarke were Marlow’s joint players of the match, and whilst the better side won on the day, the Reds will take heart from their second half performance.

Sunday saw Marlow’s Men taking the same journey down the M3, but this time, it was the visitors who travelled as favourites, having so narrowly missed out on promotion last year, although they knew Trojans, newly promoted to the England Hockey League following an unbeaten season would fancy their own chances. Marlow started strongly, Cal White opening the scoring from close range in the fifth minute. Trojans equalised quickly, and a period of pressure from the visitors then saw them re-establish the lead early in the second quarter, through a stunning goal from Tom McKinley, who carried hard into the right of the circle and struck the ball sweetly off his right foot into the top corner. Against the run of play, Trojans equalised again, and 2-2 remained the score at half time.

The pattern was to repeat itself in the third quarter, Cal White’s third Marlow goal from a drag push from left to right into the far corner being cancelled out by a penalty corner for the homeside. Marlow responded with a lovely front-to-back team goal converted by Theo Seymour just a minute later - and this time, the home side were unable to respond. The Reds finally established a definitive two goal advantage with a thunderous McKinley penalty corner drag flick, and the match ended 5-3, a Marlow victory more comprehensive than the score line suggests.

Marlow will also take heart from the fact their second teams both started their South Central League seasons with wins against opposition first teams - the Men thumping Abingdon 5-0, and the Women edging South Berkshire 2-1.

Tom McKinley scored two goals in Marlow’s 5-3 win (picture courtesy of @IFSportsImages)