United’s top four hopes blown off course at blustery Potash Lane

Milton United 5, Marlow United 1

Marlow United’s hopes of getting back into the top four were blown off course at a blustery Potash Lane on Saturday, as James Pritchard’s struggling side were beaten 5-1 by Milton United.

After making a fine start to the campaign, which saw them reach the lofty heights of second place, the Flying Blues have struggled for results of late, and slipped down to eighth on the back of this result – their heaviest loss of the season.

That promising start to the Hellenic League Division 1 East campaign now seems a very long time ago, with the side’s winless run extending to six matches. In truth Marlow were dominated from the outset and only a set of outstanding saves from Partridge kept them in the game.

However, that luck ran out in the 37th minute when Bloomfield converted from the penalty spot after Blatchford had tripped Steele in the area. James Tripp had a header cleared off the goalline before the break but that’s as close as United came in the first half. They doubled their advantage in the 56th minute when Ollie Nadin headed home following a swift break. Nadin then raced through to plant home his second of the game, and Milton’s man of the match completed his hat-trick with another composed finish in the 67th minute. Injury saw Partridge replaced by Flint in the Marlow goal, and his first job was to pick the ball out of the net from Barney’s corner kick. The visitors were then reduced to 10 men when Liam Bushay was shown a second yellow card, but the visitors did manage to score a late consolation when Alfie Lucas scored from Chris Hurst’s through ball. This Saturday they visit league leaders Risborough Rangers. Tuesday’s game with Penn & Tyler’s Green was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.