Back to winning ways in the promotion race

Marlow 3's are still in the promotion race in division 4, despite having slipped to 3rd place. The frustration of having to postpone 2 games since Christmas Means Marlow sit 8 points from top spot but with 2 games in hand. Just getting out on the pitch against Sonning was a relief!

A bright day and a similar start from the reds , not allowing the home side out of their half for 10 minutes. The pressure told and from a short corner Wallsy fired in the opening goal with the help of a deflection. Marlow were playing at a good pace, closing down Sonning in their own half and looking to break quickly.

Further chances came and went and the Sonning keeper kept busy, before another short corner after 20 minutes came up with the same result, a Rob Walls goal. 2-0 Marlow, one more would make the game safe. However it was not to be in the 1st half, the visitors dropping the pace a little and only sporadically putting together the quality of passing they were capable of.

Half time gave the team a chance to focus on what was needed, and Marlow again started the half well, creating a series of half chances before the goal of the game settled it. Starting with Andy Parsons at left back and via Chris Hulse to Gaz Baber on the half way line. A cross field aerial to Chris Burnett, who thought about a shot and then decided to roll the ball across the goal for Che Armstrong to tap in. End to end in 4 passes, simple perfect hockey.

The only disappointment from the day was that Marlow couldn't repeat the moment with 25 minutes left. At one.point Marlow had a 3 on 1 chance on the Sonning keeper, and several other chances to extend the score. In the end though a 3-0 win away from home is more than satisfying and starts the momentum as the promotion race heats up.

In a good allround performance Toby Ratcliffe shaded the vote for man of the match with a controlled and.strong midfield appearance. Ben Dawson was a close runner up after a commanding defensive display.