Promotion chasing Blues claim a slim but deserved win
Marlow 2, Ascot United 1 Marlow weren’t at their fluid best in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Ascot United, but they had enough about them to claim another deserved win in their battle to finish second in the Isthmian League South Central Division.
The Blues’ mid-week defeat to leaders Chertsey Town has left them with too much to do in too few matches to claim the league title, however, second place in the division is by no means a certainty with third-placed Leatherhead hot on their heels.
Both Marlow and Leatherhead won at the weekend to move onto 74 points, however, Mark Bartley’s side have a far superior goal difference.
They’re both 12 points behind leaders Chertsey who were convincing 3-0 winners at another play-off chasing team, Southall.
In front of a large Non League Day crowd at Oak Tree Road, Marlow took the lead shortly before half-time through the prolific Dawid Rogalski. The Blues couldn’t build on that lead until Joshua Masters scored to give them more of a cushion in the 76th minute.
And it was a cushion the Blues needed as Sean McCormack grabbed a goal back for Jamie Tompkins’ side just two minutes later.
Ascot certainly had their moments in this clash and on another day might have taken something from it, but Marlow held on for a deserved three points.
First team coach Aaron Steadman said afterwards: “Certainly not as fluid as we would like, but these boys continue to graft for each other every week and they
grind out results.”
Manager Bartley posted: “Not at our best today, and it made for a scrappy game. We were though, definitely deserving of our win. It’s been a taxing week physically, and now we need a bit of recovery and sharpening
up ahead of the big Easter double header.”
That double header begins at home against bottom of the table Corinthian Casuals on Saturday (March 30) before Easter Monday’s trip to ninth placed Hartley Wintney.