Marlow maintain flawless start with fifth consecutive victory

Marlow Men’s 1st team continued their perfect start to the campaign, making it five wins from five with a 3-1 away win at Reading 3rds.

The league leaders were losing at the break and trailed for the first time this season, but once again their resilience shone through and a flurry of goals in a six-minute spell put them back in control.

All off them were scored from open play. Two of them were swept home by Matt Bilsland while the other came from the stick of Callum White.

Marlow Men’s 2nd team overcame a nervy opening to claim a creditable victory over Oxford Hawks 3rds at Pound Lane.

The Hawks had the hosts in a flap in the early stages, forcing a series of penalty corners. But determined goalkeeping from Will Hunter and solid defending kept them out.

Ed Dillon’s goal against the run of play then opened the floodgates for the home side. Further goals followed from Joe Haslehurst (two), Christoper Jackson, Leo Pennant and Dan Field as the visitors capitulated in the first half. The second period was a more even affair. The Hawks pulled a couple of goals back, but the final word belonged to Marlow, with Mav Girn converting a penalty corner and Field hammering home a thunderous shot from another corner.

Other results saw the 3rds defeat Milton Keynes 3rds 2-1 away, the 4ths play out a goalless draw with BA at home and the 5ths beat Oxford 6ths 3-1 away. The 6ths defeated Amersham & Chalfont 6ths 2-1 at home.

A strong start from Marlow Ladies 1sts helped the side to a 5-3 victory over Epsom in the pouring rain.

Alex Teasdale opened the scoring for the visitors, using her full array of tricks to weave through a couple of challenges before beating the keeper. Emily Miskell came close with a shot that rebounded off the post, but it was a temporary reprieve for the home side. KT Windsor and Tilly Crampsie both found the net before the break to make it 3-0.

Epsom pulled a couple of goals back in the early stages of the second half to drag themselves back into contention, but Marlow regrouped and Miskell’s first goal for the club gave them breathing space once more.

Her second, another belter with a cricket-style shot in the air after a superb cross from Windsor then put the visitors out of reach.

Epsom grabbed a consolation in the final minute, but it was too late to alter the outcome.

The Ladies 2nd team relinquished their unbeaten record and place at the top of the table after losing 5-1 at Reading 3rds on Saturday.

Other results saw the 3rds draw 2-2 with Oxford 4ths away, the 4ths hold South Berks 2nds to a 2-2 draw, the 5ths were beaten 3-1 at home by Wallingford 2nds and the 6ths lost 2-1 away to Wychwood 2nds.

There was, however, a win for the 7ths who defeated Oxford 8ths 3-2 away from home.