Back in 'The Championship'

Having gained promotion the previous season Marlborough came in to the first game of the season knowing that a huge challenge awaited them against Robinsons A, one of the main stay teams of the ‘Championship’.
The game started somewhat nervously with Marlborough and Robinsons exchanging errant passes and struggling to find any rhythm against one another. The game was mainly contested in the centre of the pitch until some skilful work awarded Robinsons a penalty corner which was duly dispatched and a huge wake up call for Marlborough. This galvanized the home side in to action and mere minutes later Matt Osbourne opened his goal account for the season with a deft finish from an unlikely angle.
Roared on by the home support Marlborough soon took lead again through Osbourne in a nigh on identical goal after some sharp work by Will Seward and skipper Rich Holman. However the lead did not last for long as Robinsons answered with a sharp goal of their own. With barely 20 minutes gone and the game already tied at 2-2 one could be forgiven in to thinking the teams might play it safe until half time but amazingly the opposite proved true. Osbourne completed his hat trick with yet again another bursting run down the right hand side before slotting past the on rushing keeper! Midfield starlet Will Seward capped a superb first half performance with a mazy dribble and goal after the break down of a short corner routine. 4-2 up at half time!
The second half began and Marlborough soon realised that Robinsons were not even slightly daunted at the scoreline as they pressed higher and soon found themselves level after two incredibly quick goals. With Marlborough reeling Robinsons set about further punishing Marlborough and soon found themselves in the lead after a scrappy goal mouth melee. Unable to live with the intensity, and greater experience in the current situation Marlborough had no answer to the visitors whom had greatly raised their game after the surprise of the first half. Soon the score became 6-4 leaving Marlborough no choice but to all out attack leaving more gaps for Robinsons to play in to. Marlborough had several opportunities via short corners and shots from distance but were unable to further test the Robinsons goalkeeper. With only minutes remaining Robinsons ended any thoughts of a miraculous comeback by slotting home a seventh ending the game as deserving 7-4 victors.
Whilst disappointed having squandered a good position in the game Marlborough skipper Rich Holman reflected that there were plenty of positives to take from the performance and lessons to be learned!