Competent and controlled Marlow claim first victory
Marlow Women’s 1sts picked up their first victory of the season with a competent and controlled 2-0 win over previously unbeaten Amersham & Chalfont.
Visitors Amersham had won all three of their previous matches so arrived at Pound Lane full of confidence, however, that belief was slowly eroded by the hosts.
Playing some beautiful hockey in the opening stages, Marlow earned several penalty corners and dominated possession, however, the breakthrough didn't come until the second half.
It was Collette Fitzpatrick who got it, finishing off a well-worked team move in the 43rd minute to make it 1-0.
The three points were then sealed just a few minutes later when player of the match, Keira Allen, made it 2-0 when she deflected the ball home from a penalty corner.
The women’s 2nd team remain top of their division after a 2-0 win over Milton Keynes 1sts, and they’re also now the only team in the league to have won all four of their matches.
Estelle Palmer broke the deadlock, volleying in at a short corner, and she doubled their advantage with a solo effort in the second half.
Other results saw the women’s 3rds lose 1-0 away at Witney 2nds, the 4ths draw 1-1 at Oxford University 3rds and the 5ths draw 2-2 with Wallingford 3rds. The 6ths were beaten 4-2 away at Slough 3rds.
Marlow Men's 1st team dropped points for the first time this season after a nail-biting, see-saw encounter with Bournemouth at Pound Lane.
The top-of-the-table hosts made their usual strong start with Mark Lowden netting a well-taken goal in the fourth minute and Cameron Beazley-Clarke grabbing their second in the 19th minute.
However, unlike their previous matches, Marlow weren’t able to go on and dominate their opponents. Bournemouth fought back with a penalty stroke to make it 2-2 and fired home an equaliser to draw level before half-time. The visitors took advantage of another penalty stroke to make it 32 early in the second half before Callum White grabbed his customary goal, firing home firmly from a short corner. As they pushed for a winner, Marlow left themselves vulnerable to the counter and Bournemouth scored again to make it 4-3. However, the Reds were determined to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and in the final few seconds White made room for himself to squeeze home an equaliser and keep the side on top of the table.
The men’s 2nds lost for the first time this season, going down 2-0 at Newbury & Thatcham 1sts despite playing reasonably well.
Other men’s results saw the 3rds lose 2-0 at BA 1sts, the 4ths defeat Oxford Hawks 6ths 3-0 and the 5ths draw 2-2 with Wycombe 3rds. The 6ths won 3-1 at Sonning 5ths and the 7ths lost 21 to Sonning 6ths in a friendly.