Marnane's rocket shot

match report by Beth Palfrey

Marlborough Ladies set out in high spirits hoping to leave the pitch with a win. They were in full knowledge that they could beat Jaspers in this rearranged game even though they had previously lost 6/1 to the Bristol based team earlier in the season. They were desperate to not have another final score like that (unless it was the other way around of course!!)
Unfortunately Marlborough were slow starting and Jaspers capitalised on this which lead to a quick attack and a deflection around the keeper (Vicky Moxham) within the first couple of minutes. 1-0 to Jaspers.
This woke Marlborough up with a start. Marlborough started playing some good hockey especially some fantastic balls up the sideline from Philippa Brown. One such play which resulted in a lovely ball through the Jaspers defence from Rachel Cox which almost rolled off the back lineup but Becki Marnane swooped in and took a "rocket shot" which flew straight over the keepers head and into the back of the net!! 1-1... A couple of unfortunate mistakes later Jaspers scored again albeit not from one of their own players... Taking them back into the lead, 2-1...But more cracking pieces of play from the Marlborough defence and midfield gave Rachel Cox some brilliant opportunities to smash the ball to hopefully an awaiting Milly Dawson, Sophie Fynn or Catherine Manley but these just wouldn't go in the goal. With 10 minutes till half time, Jaspers got another goal, from a very well worked short corner routine 3/1 down at half time.

Marlborough knew the score line did not reflect how well they had played in the first half and knew they could turn the game around in the second. Marlborough stepped up their attack and a couple of chances later the ball was slipped across the face of the goal by Ness Pickford-Smith and Becki Marnane was on hand to tap the ball in at the back post. Marlborough kept up the pressure and after a succession of short corners Rachel Cox produced a fantastic drag flick straight into the back of the net. 3/3 with 10 minutes to go. The game swayed back and forth between the two teams goals each desperate for a winner. Unfortunately it was not Marlborough's day as Jaspers sent the ball across the goal mouth and an unlucky deflection from a Marlborough stick sent the ball into the back of their own net.
With a large portion of the second half being played in Marlborough's attacking half of the pitch it seemed they should win, They fought hard for another 5 minutes, but nothing came. With less than 1 minute remaining on the clock Sophie Fynn got hit by a high ball to the head resulting in a nasty H split to her forehead!
Once the clock was back on, Marlborough fought, but to no avail. Final score 4-3 to Jaspers

Marlborough News Online player of the match was Philippa Brown for some outstanding defending in her first game for Marlborough.