Marlborough 7 - 0 Sidmouth

Marlborough entered their second game of the weekend knowing that a win was needed to get themselves back on track following yesterday's disappointing draw.

Marlborough went into the game determined to play at a higher intensity than yesterday and it definitely showed in the early play. Marlborough were utterly dominant in the first half, winning the ball numerous times in the Sidmouth half thanks to some excellent work in the defensive press. The energy levels put in by both John Berry and Charlie Hawley playing inside forwards forced Sidmouth to either put the ball into the middle channel and risk a turnover or simply revert to long hopeful passing to their forwards.

Marlborough found themselves ahead early in the game following excellent build up play down the right hand side of the pitch. Veteran defender John Bromley carried the ball well and released John Berry, he made his way to the baseline and put the ball across goal for Rich Fynn to turn into the net. Marlborough doubled their lead shortly after when a quickly taken long corner from Rich Holman found Matt Way in space near the baseline, he played the ball across goal and Rich Fynn was once again there to deflect the ball in from a narrow angle, a superbly taken goal straight off the training ground!

Marlborough continued to apply pressure to the Sidmouth defence and extended their lead from a Short Corner when Rich Fynn slipped the ball to back post for Charlie Hawley to deflect into the goal. The lead became 4 following an excellent passing move by Marlborough to create an overload in the circle, with John Berry once again unselfishly drawing the keeper and squaring the ball to a well placed Mark Kinder who passed the ball into the unguarded net.

Shortly before half time Marlborough made it 5-0 following a carbon-copy Short Corner goal with Charlie Hawley once again finding the net.

Marlborough's team talk concentrated on not dropping our standard and ensuring we kept a clean sheet. Things looked to be going very well when after a minute of the second half John Berry won the ball just outside the Sidmouth 25, he quickly played the ball to the edge of the circle for Matt Way, who drove to the left, drawing the keeper before playing the ball back under his arm to Alex Renwick. Alex calmly rode the final desperate attempted tackle from Sidmouth and passed the ball into the open goal.

Marlborough continued to apply pressure high up the pitch and created their 7th and final goal when the ball was played in towards the P spot for Matt Way to deflect it into the corner of the goal on his reverse.

The rest of the game played out with the pattern of Marlborough in the ascendancy but just not able to put the finishing touch on any move to extend the lead, perhaps the 2nd game fo the weekend was starting to show in the energy levels...

To give Sidmouth credit the kept fighting right until the final whistle and did come back into the game as more of an attacking threat in the final 20 minutes. Solid work from the Marlborough defensive unit managed to snuff out any half chances and kept the clean sheet intact for the home side.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable game of hockey played in great spirits between the 2 sides, we wish Sidmouth good luck for their remaining fixtures and hope they can lift themselves out of the relegation places before the ens of the season.

With the 3 points from today, Marlborough have re-established a 6 point lead over Bath Buccs at the top of the table and with Bristol University slipping up again and dropping out of the 3rd place, promotion is looking more and more likely for the men in green.

Man of the match was awarded to John Berry for his fantastic performance from midfield, he really was at the heart of everything positive for Marlborough.

D*** of the day was 'awarded' to Charlie Hawley for his avoiding what would have been a hat-trick from a combined distance of 3m. For a full understanding of the sheer quality of miss please follow the link to see the standard Charlie set...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pBnQQv0jY3Q