Marlborough 5 - 2 City of Bath

Marlborough extended their 100% record to 5 games with a comfortable victory over City of Bath.

Marlborough welcomed Will Radnedge back to the team following his endeavours in the Under 18 Futures Cup last week, reaching the final and scoring a goal in the process was a fantastic achievement.

Marlborough started the game brightly, moving the ball well and looking to create space high up the pitch. The opening goal was created when Chris Jones won the ball just inside the Marlborough half before playing a series of passes down the right hand side of the pitch. This interchange of passing resulting in John Berry finding space inside the circle to fire the ball into the goal form a narrow angle. Marlborough continued to control the first half and extended their lead when Rhys Davies lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper.

CIty of Bath did pose a threat on the break, all of their play coming from their defender either looking to carry the ball aggressively through the pitch or aerial the ball into space for his forwards to lead on to. Marlborough defended the situation well, finding themselves under the ball on numerous occasions to win possession back.

Towards the end of the half, a City of Bath player was given a Green Card following a series of Clumsy tackles, culminating in what can only be described as an "Axe-chop" as captain Anil Sud cleverly lifted the ball into space outside their circle. With this pressure, Marlborough made it 3 when some quick thinking from a long corner meant Will Radnedge found space to fire the ball into the net.

Marlborough continued to play the better hockey throughout the second half, working the ball well from half backs into the middle of the pitch and building form there. This patient play was rewarded when Will Radnedge doubled his tally by turning the ball in at the back post.

At 4-0 up Marlborough seemed to lose some focus and allowed the opposition back into the game. City of Bath scored when a free hit awarded just outside the 25 was crashed into the circle by their defender. The ball took an unfortunate touch off a Marlborough stick and was deflected in well leaving Brian Marnane no chance. City of Bath continued to press forward and their "Hero ball" brand of hockey was rewarded when the very same defender eventually managed to escape numerous Marlborough challenges. He carried the ball well through 4 Marlborough players and fired the ball into the roof of the net from the top of the circle.

This seemed to rally Marlborough back to their best hockey. Marlborough began to move the ball with more pace and managed to advance the ball forward to create several scoring opportunities, the game was eventually put to bed when Will Hughes received the ball with his back to goal, span onto his strong side and played the ball into the far corner of the goal.

Marlborough were pleased with the result, played some excellent hockey and scored some cracking team goals.

Man of the Match was awarded to Rich Holman for some extremely composed defending (especially "schoolboying" a schoolboy...)

Dick of the day was shared between 3 people. Matt Way for his "shaving and taping" pre match prep on his groin (Thanks to John Berry for helping with this), Alex Renwick for seeming to freeze when the ball was slipped to him at a short corner at the end of the first half and Ed Watson for what can only be described as "Chutney-gate" (Mostly as I still don't have a clue what it was all about...)

After the re-vote the scores were level between Alex and Ed and so it needed to be settled in the most gentlemanly way possible...Rock, Paper Scissors with Alex eventually coming out on top with the use of Rock.

Marlborough look forward to the second half of their double header against high flying Bristol University.