Blues stage incredible comeback to win on ‘crazy day of football’
‘An absolutely crazy day of football’ was how Marlow manager Mark Bartley described his side’s miraculous comeback against Thatcham Town.
As the promotion-chasing Blues trudged off the pitch 4-1 down at halftime of Saturday’s clash, few at the Mettal Stadium would have given them a hope of getting back into the game.
But momentum can be a powerful force in football and when forward Dave Tarpey reduced the deficit minutes into the second-half, Bartley knew his side had a chance.
He told the Advertiser: “You’re going in at half-time 4-1 down and pretty much everyone in the whole stadium didn’t think we were going to get anything from it apart from the guys that were in our changing room.
“Second half I thought we were brilliant. We had a talk at half-time about what we needed to do and we reset and the boys were absolutely fantastic.
“To come out, score four goals in the half and have the luxury to still miss a penalty, it was hard to argue we weren’t worth the three points.
“It was just an absolutely crazy, crazy day of football. It’s one of those I don’t want to repeat too often but I’m sure if you went there you got your money’s worth.”
Marlow struggled to adjust to the gusty conditions in the first half and found themselves behind after just six minutes from a Jordi Ebanda strike.
David Rogalski levelled for the visitors from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute but sloppy defending saw Sam Tanner add a second before Ebanda notched a first half hat-trick.
Blues boss Bartley said the half-time deficit left some Thatcham supporters questioning his side’s lofty position in the league.
But their second half showing proved a reminder of the spirit and firepower within the squad as Tarpey and then Rogalski reduced the arrears to 4-3.
The former Maidenhead United talisman had a chance to bring the visitors level from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time but saw his effort saved.
This blip could have reversed the momentum but the Blues kept pushing and got their reward in the 80th minute when Kai Hamilton-Olise managed to hook home at the back post.
Thatcham’s grip on the game weakened further minutes later as Callum Winchcombe was sent off.
And the visitors capped a remarkable turnaround in the first minute of injury time as Rogalski’s deflected effort found the back of the net, cueing delirium amongst the Marlow players and the boisterous group of travelling supporters.
Bartley added: “We had a travelling minibus of supporters and the boys run over to celebrate with them. Even at 4-1 they were still behind us and that helped. There were massive celebrations.
“A couple of their supporters had a lot to say and were talking about how we don’t look like a side where we are in the league but in the second half we showed the reason why we’re where we are.”
The unlikely victory leaves Marlow in second place in the Isthmian South Central division – a position which would secure the Blues a home draw in any potential play-off semi final.
“The first half on Saturday will help them to remember we haven’t achieved anything yet,” Bartley added.
“You’re not going to get given anything and that was a little bit of complacency.
“Our job is to make sure we remain focused on the job and we don’t start to think we’ve already arrived.
“You want your season to be live all the way to the end and it looks like we’re going to do that. That’s the reason everyone gets up and plays.”