Desire v Discipline

Marlow were chuffed to bits, to be back at Pound Lane, for the first time since the opening day of the season. Spirits were high and despite losing three on the bounce the boys were confident of a result.

With the squad desperate to taste a win, there had been some raised eyebrows after some mid-week distractions had led to a poor turn out at training. The group are improving with each game and every moment together brings positive progress.

Friday night socials are also proving an issue and with the majority of the squad preparing well, you can feel the friction when one or two players don't follow suit.

The coaching philosophy this year is based around marginal gains and the squad came so close to getting a point on Saturday that the penny might just start to drop. If these boys leave no stone unturned, then they will get their rewards.

Desire was requested and was certainly evident from the outset. Marlow looked a totally different team from the first half performance the week before. Captain Land was leading the way, although an ill timed tackle earned him a green card after just 3 mins. The defence looked solid, if not a little deep and reactive to THD's offensive opportunities.

The two teams looked fairly matched, but it was the visitors that scored first.
Marlow's response was encouraging and the Reds dominated the next 10 mins, carving out some good opportunities to level.

Two back to back corners gave the coaching staff a sniff of THD's weakness. After the espionage detail was passed to the players, they made a great decision and Captain Land deflected superbly (going to ground for the first time ever!) for the equaliser.

It was a great time to score 2 mins before half time, but straight from the restart Gary Goodman reacted to a rough challenge which saw both teams go down to 10 men.

Marlow came out strongly in the second half, but THD were getting the rub of the green from the official at Marlow's end and in comparison, at the other end there was nothing forthcoming.

The Red Shorts' discipline was being tested and through their frustrations they started to get their hackles up. When Jack Rolfe knocked a ball away on a free hit, the umpire rightly gave a corner and a yellow card. THD scored, a painful site for the youngster to watch from the sin bin.

With 15 mins to go it was one way traffic. Marlow were creating some great chances but similar breakdown by THD was going unpunished. The majority of the Marlow squad were losing the plot, but Sams Roberts and North were the calm amongst the storm, the former, particularly outstanding in his contribution, so much so that he picked up MOM.

Captain Land couldn't handle the heat and a series of outbursts early him a yellow card with just 10 mins left.

As Land returned with 5 mins left, Marlow removed their GK to play with 11 outfield players in pursuit of a last gasp equaliser; a corner was their reward, but the THD keeper was the hero, when he turned Hookers flick around the post, to claim all three points.

Desire was good, but discipline was dreadful from the majority,including the bench and Marlow must learn to be more professional. Still, progress is progress and the boys are one step closer to turning things around next week at West Hamstead.