Old Bristolian's 3 - 4 Marlborough

Marlborough's 1st league game after the Christmas break has traditionally been one which hasn't bought around the best of results. So when they went 1-0 down to Old Bristolian's following a poor defensive turnover, they could have been forgiven for thinking that they had their work cut out for them.

However they steadied the ship well and began to exert their dominance on the game with lots of territory and pressure on the OB's circle. Marlborough started to turn this pressure into scoring opportunities but the OB's defence stood firm with numerous blocks/saves to deny Marlborough an equaliser.

Marlborough did eventually pull themselves level following a well placed flick by Rich Fynn which the OB's keeper could only deflect into his own player's body on the goal-line. With the umpire about to award the Penalty Stroke, Matt Way was able to react quickest to the loose ball and "prod" the ball over the line.

Following the equaliser, Marlborough began to force mistakes form the OB's back line which resulted in Alex Renwick winning the ball high up the pitch. He intelligently recycled the ball back to Rhys Davies who was working hard to get up with play, he managed to control the ball well under pressure and play the ball square to Matt Way. He then crashed the ball into the circle for the run back towards the ball of Will Radnedge who deflected the ball across goal and into the top corner of the net, a lovely team goal.

Marlborough looked to have managed the storm and were heading for half time when OB's were awarded a short corner following Chris Jones being hit in the head in the circle, fortunately the ball wasn't travelling at too great of a pace, due to a deflection and so Chris was able to carry on. However from the resulting corner OB's were awarded a penalty stroke when following Brian Marnane's first save the ball rebounded high into the air. With numerous bodies underneath the ball and stick's raised above head height play would normally stop and another corner be awarded, however in this instance the umpire decided it "wasn't dangerous" and so allowed play to continue. The resulting miss-hit from the OB's forward bounced into the turf and up into the body of Chris Jones on the goal line and duly awarded a penalty stroke. Brian Marnane was left with no chance when the resulting flick was dispatched low to his right and into the sideboard.

Half time at 2-2 and Marlborough knew that OB's would come out with a renewed energy. Once again Marlborough found themselves behind in the game when they conceded a 3rd early in the second half due to some more uncharacteristic defending.

Finding themselves in the unfamiliar position of having to chase the game Marlborough upped their intensity and applied high pressure to the OB's defensive line. This resulted in more turnovers inside the OB's hald and continued territorial advantage. To their credit OB's defended their circle resolutely and looked dangerous on the counter attack with their lively attacking line.

In the end, Marlborough's efforts were rewarded when they built the ball well to the baseline, Rich Fynn pulled the ball across and the first effort by Marlborough was saved well by the OB's keeper, however the rebound fell to John Berry, who had continued his run from midfield and he calmly slotted the ball into the open goal on his reverse. OB's seemed to physically drop off with this goal and Marlborough were able to make it a fantastic come from behind victory after they scored a fortunate winner. John Berry once again was at the centre of it, carrying the ball well to the top of the circle. He saw a gap and drove hard into the circle and got his shot off, unfortunately for OB's, their Keeper had misjudged the situation and allowed the ball to roll into the corner of the goal.

Not the way in which you would want to win a game but Marlborough felt as thought they deserved the victory for their territorial dominance in the game despite some excellent counter-attacking play from OB's.

Marlborough continued the second half of the season by grinding out a tough win in a game which they could have easily lost (and probably would have in other seasons). Marlborough continue into next week against a dangerous Sidmouth team who surprisingly sit at the bottom of the table.

Man of the Match was awarded to John Berry for his involvement in most of Marlborough's positive forward play.

D*** of the Day was "awarded" to Chairman Rich Holman following his fantastic assist on OB's opening goal...