Beaconsfield High School is not the best place to play when you need a win to keep up with the league leaders. A venue that favoured endeavour above skill made this a much more even encounter than the corresponding home fixture.
Marlow had the better of the early running but couldn't quite get the final ball to stick, which started to build frustration. Che Armstrong helped ease some of the pressure with a strong run into the D and a reverse shot into the corner. GX weren't to be swept aside and came back with a goal of their own however, and as the half wore on Marlow started to get fractious. Half time came at the right time, in fact GX could have gone into the break ahead, missing a penalty corner at the end of the half.
For once the Marlow side listened to the half time advice and did exactly what the skipper asked for, playing a simple passing game going forward and working hard to close down the opposition off the ball. A plethora of chances started to be created and for 20 minutes GX were played out of the game. A Jack Kelly double was the result of the pressure, the first a sublime top corner reverse finish and the second from the penalty spot after Kelly himself had been flattened by the keeper. Better finishing and it could have been more.
However with 10 minutes to go and a 3-1 lead a lack of anyone in holding midfield kept GX interested, and when they got one back with 3 minutes to go it meant a nervous period of keep ball for the visitors. Points in the bag at this stage mean everything though, and sets up the league 2nd vs 3rd local derby next week with Wycombe. A win for Marlow and promotion will be in touching distance, defeat and its back in the balance, come on reds!!!