Title charge back on despite West Hampstead scare

What a game, what a vital win for Marlow, bouncebackability at its finest! Having missed out on a game 2 weeks ago and being unlucky enough to face Brunel's BUSA team last week, Marlow could have done without the visit of a fired up West Hampstead side, who realised this was probably their last chance to get near the top 3.

The visitors came with a game plan, and for the first 10 minutes picked holes at will by overloading the right of the pitch with their best 3 players. The entire game was being played in a quarter of the pitch, and despite the best efforts of Ciaran Joyce in the Marlow goal with a series of fine saves Hampstead raced into a 2 goal lead.

Marlow had to change up their game plan. A tactical change to nullify the opposition and some sheer hard work and commitment got Marlow on the ball, and started to move the game into the other half. Half chances started to come, a possible top corner own goal just missing, Walls and Harjette both just firing just wide, and for the first time man of the match Jack Kelly started to find time and space.

Half time ended the momentum, and gave the Marlow side a chance to realise that a bit of hard work and application would get them back in the game. Sure enough at the restart possesion in the oppo half and a penalty corner dispatched by league top scorer Remy Walls, 2-1.

A fantastic piece of individual skill levelled the scores, Jack Kelly picking up the ball on the half way line and turning into space with quick hands to leave 3 Hampstead players mystified. 25 yards from goal and a pass to Walls looked the best option, but Kelly used this as a decoy to keep going, and as the defence struggled to cover a trademark reverse stick smash left the opposition reeling.

Belief spread through the reds, Mr Hockey Ben Horan driving forward on the right, James Edkins getting the centre of midfield under control and debutant Nick Winter creating chances from the right. Winter won the short corner, Walls again smashed it, 3-2 Marlow.

With time to go the visitors came back, Posty AP and Ben Dawson blocking, sliding in and inevitably coming out with the ball. Late scares from a short corner, Joyce again in goal keeping everything out. The final whistle so welcome and Marlow hold 2nd in the league, with a game in hand.

The games keep coming, a trip to league leaders Oxford Brookes next Saturday. Bring it on, it could be the next big step to the title!