Marlow on the wrong end of a 5 goal thriller

The top 2 in the league met up at Oxford Hawks at the weekend, both sides looking to take 3 points and put one hand on the league title. The teams were closely matched, as they have been each time the sides have met over the last 3 years. After a perfectly observed minutes' silence in respect of league secretary and umpire Gareth Evans who sadly passed away last weekend the game got underway.

Early Exchanges saw the game battled in a small part of the midfield, the home side attempting to drive through the middle and Marlow looking dangerous on the break. Oxford took their first clear opportunity with a strong drive into the D, Marlow came back quickly as Ben Horan created space on the right and drew the keeper before feeding Chris Burnett to fire in to an empty goal. The pace of the game didn't let up, and as Marlow paused to question an umpiring decision Oxford took a quick free hit and touched home from close range, 2-1 at the internal.

The second half was all Marlow to start. Rob Walls fired home an unstoppable shot only to realise the whistle had already been blown for a free hit. Hawks though responded with a classic sucker punch, straight down the other end to score. Marlow needed to get back in touch quickly. The best chance came and went as Burnett missed a penalty stroke, to massive relief in the Hawks camp. It just seemed to spur on Marlow. For 20 minutes chance after chance came and went. Walls had another goal disallowed, before James Edkins drove into the D and found Che Armstrong. 3-2.

It could and probably should have been a draw. Man of the match Toby Bruce in the Marlow goal was standing up to everything as Hawks broke away, Che Armstrong so nearly equalised twice, both times shooting just wide with the defence beaten. It just wasn't to be though, and Hawks take a 5 point advantage over Marlow into next week.

Marlow will be looking to keep up pressure next week with a win at Bisham Abbey against Henley, and at the same time will be looking for a favour straight after as Hawks take on Wycombe