Marlborough 5 - 1 Wallingford

Marlborough set the second half of their season up with a comfortable victory over Wallingford.

Marlborough started the game positively, showing their long range passing threat with several aerials thrown over the Wallingford defence which a Marlborough forward was able to lead onto and receive in open space. This early pressure forced Wallingford to change their game-plan and began to sit back in a half court press which allowed Marlborough the time and space to advance the ball through the midfield.

Marlborough took the lead when from such a passage of play Will Radnedge received the ball in the inside right channel. He cleverly carried the ball on an angle to draw the defenders on and then played a through pass to Alex Renwick who found himself one-on-one with their keeper. Showing maturity beyond his years, he calmly the ball across to his reverse stick to eliminate the keeper and hit the ball into the back of the goal on his reverse.

Marlborough extended their lead shortly afterwards when Rhys Davies received the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the circle. He managed to create space for himself by lifting the ball over his opponent's stick (and then through his legs for good measure...) before unleashing a thunderous backhand across the keeper and into the far top corner of the net. Truly a fantastic finish.

Half time came with Marlborough looking comfortable in their 2-0 lead, a slight tactical change at half time was implemented to try and counter the main threat Wallingford posed which was through their right half channel.

Marlborough extended their lead early in the second half when John Bromley drove down the right wing before pulling the ball acorss goal for Will Radnedge to finish at the back post. However, Marlborough soon found themselves pegged back following a scrappy rebound goal from a short corner.

At 3-1 Marlborough knew the next goal would seal it for them and it duly arrived when Wallingford switched off when defending a long corner. No pressure was applied to the ball and Matt Way was able to carry the ball into the circle before releasing the ball to Alex Renwick. He held off the pressure from his defender and managed to draw the keeper out to try and close down the angle, Alex then cheekily lobbed the ball over him and towards the empty goal. A desperate lunge from the last Wallingford defender saw the ball stopped on the goal line before Will Radnedge was able to follow the ball in and force it over the line.

Marlborough had one last goal in them when Captain Anil Sud cleverly eliminated multiple players on the circle before laying the ball off to the back post, Alex Renwick was once again on hand to turn the ball goalwards and it struck a Wallingford defender on the body. The resulting flick was converted by Alex himself after regularly set piece expert Anil generously gave up the opportunity.

A positive start to the second half of the season allows Marlborough to move a period of time which cost them promotion last year, everyone realises the importance of re-starting the league positively and maintaining our grip on the top of the table.

Man of the Match was awarded to Will Radndege for his excellent work-rate and ball carrying through the midfield. For all those interested Will will be leading a "Tactical Masterclass" for everyone this Wednesday on the art of Stick blocking, reserve your spaces early to avoid disappointment....

D*** of the Day was also "awarded" to Will Radnedge on behalf of Chris Jones for the insurance claim he has had to put in to fix his rear windscreen following WIll's backhand strike in the warm up.