'Fortress Marlow’ was the setting for a fixture that the reds absolutely had to win

Point-less Barnes were languishing at the bottom of the league and are one of the teams that Marlow must target for points. A noticeably quieter changing-room signalled recognition of the importance of the job ahead; to the backdrop of (Rolfey’s choice of) Busted and ‘Year 3000’, Coach Chappers outlined a change in approach from the attacking ‘flair’ that had leaked 21 goals in five matches.

The first half went almost entirely to Marlow’s plan. Barnes’ attacks were few and far between; the few penetrations into the reds’ half were dealt with ably by the Marlow midfield and back four. Further up the pitch the brothers Land were conducting some marauding runs into the opposition half, with Chris forcing some fine saves from the Barnes goalkeeper. It was Captain Alex though that drew first blood after five minutes of play with a well-taken goal. Throughout, Marlow were linking decisively on both flanks and, conducted by the midfield trio of Gary, Luke and Matt, there was a confidence and assurance about the play that had been missing since the opening day of the season.

The second half brought both good and bad; Marlow continued their assault on the beleaguered Barnes defence, and plundered three more goals, but a crazy 10 minutes showed moments of frailty and flashbacks to previous weeks’ difficulties over ball-retention. It was during this time that Barnes took advantage of a difference of opinion between Marlow’s players and the umpires and sneaked a goal (via a foot and stick-tackle, if Marlow’s fiery Dutch goalkeeper is to be believed). The reds also found themselves temporarily down to 10 men after Sam North was judged to have broken down play unfairly on two separate occasions and saw yellow.

The Barnes goal followed just two minutes after Jon Hooker had doubled Marlow’s lead with a drag-flick from the first penalty corner of the game. Marlow’s second corner gave Phil Cowell the opportunity to convert a penalty stroke after another drag-flick beat the Barnes goalkeeper, only to be kept out by a defender’s foot. Phil climbed all over his chance to get among the goals and rifled his stroke into the Barnes net. Chris Land was back to causing chaos after Marlow’s second-half ‘wobble’ and a typically mischievous raid on the right flank led to a shot (definitely not a cross) and a goal from an angle that could best be described as ‘ambitious’; another umpiring difference of opinion however saw the effort ruled out for being taken ‘outside the D’ - Thursday’s video analysis session should help to clarify this. The result was put beyond doubt on 65 minutes though with Marlow’s fourth goal coming from another penalty corner strike.

The win certainly feels good and will do wonders for confidence; it was also a fantastic opportunity for two debutants, Oli and Nick, to show what they can do and one that they grabbed with both hands. Marlow now look forward to a trip to the South coast and another must-win fixture against Eastbourne.

Report by Jon Hooker