6 Points Out of 6 For Super Reds

An experienced Purley side, relegated the season previously, were the opposition and would be an excellent gauge to see whether Marlow’s victory last week was a one off, or would set a trend for the rest of the season. The 70 mins of hockey to follow were anything but simple, yet Marlow ended the game most importantly with 6 points from 6. The home side started the game in a fashion not seen throughout last year’s campaign, and dominated the opening proceedings.

With the silky interplay between a midfield of James Luff, Rohit Kapoor, young international Imre Gerrits and Gary Goodman, the 1st team glided up the field, creating many opportunities the best of which fell Gary, who was unable to convert from a tight angle.

The first ten minutes left many watching wondering why Purley were two goals ahead after twenty minutes, efficiently finishing two penalty corners completely against the run of play. Their only two circle entries of the game so far. Marlow rallied, knowing they were playing the better hockey.

After some short corners of their own, the ball fell to full back Patrick Staal who had moved in from the injector’s mark, to fire into an open net. A goal which Marlow felt had got them back into the game. An overall disappointing half for Marlow was about to get worse however as Purley were the next team to strike. A swift counter attack after a Marlow short corner caught the defence
unawares, and the teams went into half time with Purley leading 3-1.

There was a half time team talk, but in reality it was unnecessary as Marlow knew how they needed to play in order to overturn the deficit. Tightening up the back line and more disciplined hockey was required and the team went out onto the pitch confident. However neither the players, coaching staff or vocal home support could have predicted how the second half would play out.

Frustrations began to show twenty minutes into the second half as Purley remained two goals ahead. Captain Alex Land, followed by a bout of selective hearing from young Elliot Killington saw them both shown yellow cards and side-lined for five minutes. Arguably this was the kick up the backside Marlow needed, and from them on they displayed a performance that should set a
benchmark for future games.

The source of Marlow’s second goal was a little surprising however and it took Ed Dillion to eventually put the misfiring Marlow forwards to shame, ghosting into the circle from left half and driving the ball beyond the goalkeeper. With a clear momentum shift, and a little over ten minutes left to play, this became anyone’s game, and an excellent finish from Alex Land drew the team’s
level. A goal which went a long way in securing both the MOtM, and incidentally, DOtD award.

Marlow all of a sudden looked the fitter, hungrier team and combined with their superior hockey technique could only mean one outcome. Charlie Olley, following his crucial winning drag flick last week, again delivered when it mattered most placing the ball far beyond the keepers reach. An enormous cheer accompanied by a sigh of relief swept across Pound Lane. Not the most convincing performance ultimately, but three points all the same.

Yet this game had one last twist. With the emphasis on ball retention to maintain Marlow’s narrow lead, the ball naturally found its
way to a Purley forward inside the circle almost instantly. A short dubious short corner was awarded, followed promptly by the full time whistle. As the opposition decided on their most probable way of scoring, Marlow’s PCD team was confident that the extra Thursday night sessions would pay off and enable them to defend this latest attempt. And they were right… or so they thought.

Unbelievably to all those present, a penalty stroke was awarded for a foot on the line, and the opportunity for Purley to snatch a point from this fixture. Ross Bone a vastly experienced goal keeper just coming off the back of an excellent half in which he had kept a clean sheet and made some superb saves, had other ideas. His mere presence was enough to destroy the nerves of the unlucky forward, who sent his stroke wide of the goal. The final whistle blew with the cries of “Justice….JUSTICE” from the on-
looking Andrew Rymer, whose video footage was invaluable to the writing of this match report.

Whist the overall performance left coach Kevin Chappell wanting more from his side, it can’t be denied that this was a valuable lesson for a Marlow team on a steep learning trajectory.

Report by Ali Dalton