Marlborough 2’s go 3 points clear at top of the league after tough away win

This win has to go down as one of the most satisfying wins of the season. The 2’s faced a very tough game away at Devizes, as we were missing a number of players and facing an inform team, who are always strong at home.

Pre-match warm up’s have characterised our season and our novel approach this time was to huddle together in a tiny hut to escape the effects of “Storm Doris” whilst keeping a close eye on the ladies game in front of us! Whilst in a tight huddle our keen interest in the Ladies game was interrupted by someone asking what our short corner routines would look like with the ever dependable Keith Radnedge, Mark Ramage and Justin Metcalfe all missing (the latter two seconded to the 1st team !). Never fear, Rob Hues is here – Cometh the hour cometh the man!......and he was to have a starring role at both ends of the pitch!

Eventually, and somewhat reluctantly, we left the comfort of the cramped hut (and manly warmth !) to go and practise some short corners. We less substitutes to use today, a minor change in tactics was required. Captain Ed’s instructions today - keep things tight in defence, keep possession, but still keep the press very high. After the first 10 minutes it was clear it was going to be a close game and they had the threat of pace and skill in midfield. However, our overall teamwork, effort and pressure paid dividends and midway through the first half Marlborough took the lead.

1-0 Tristan Norman scores high into the right hand side of the net after a bullocking run through the middle. A slight mis-control (his words not mine !), helped confuse a defender, he re-gathered, charged passed another and smashed the ball passed the on rushing keeper – great goal. Something a proper flank forward would be proud of!

2-0 Nat Clarke scores at the back post from a short corner routine. The strike from Rob Hues was saved and he back in again to Nat at the far post who confidently guided it home. Composure and skill personified by both.

Half Time - 2- 0 Up. Despite the score, it was a close game and Devizes had their chances. Ed and Dan reminded us all of the press formation needed to stop the ball getting to their two (fit, fast, young) midfielders. This was effectively achieved in the second half, and Devizes had no other outlets for their game, as a result their left and right backs became very exposed.

3-0 Tristan Norman scores his second of the day and it was even better than his first. The ball was quickly switched across the back from right to left quickly: Ryan Noble to Mark Salvidge to Andy Davidson who smashed the ball into the D from the left side of the D. The ball looped up off a defenders stick high over the P spot and Tristan, with his back to goal, executed a perfect reverse stick, shoulder high, back hand shot – UNBELIEVABLE ! Amazing goal – Roger Federer would have been proud of it !

By now Marlborough were well in control and every man was playing their part. Dan Crossman was playing everywhere and beating defenders for fun, Alex Davies was harassing and tackling like never before, and Ryan Noble was just destroying anybody who came near him. Rich Newton was making some great interventions. Rob Hues was perfecting his body check and flinging aerials all over the place! One memorable moment of the match was watching Rob Hues fling the perfect “deception” aerial which flew with some power and speed, up and over, and over and land 6 feet behind him!! The most outrageous self pass of the year !

4-0 Ed Watson scores a reverse stick strike. Andy D (now at left back) slipped the ball to Ed Watson near the half way, he passed it inside to Nick Jephson, moved forward collected the return, surged into the D, skipped past a couple of defenders, hit a dead end, decided to attempt a reverse stick shot. It wrong footed everyone (!) and gently nudged the backboard! A goal is a goal - a more finer slow reverse strike will not be seen this season!

To be fair to Devizes they kept pushing and as long as we kept the two in midfield quiet we never looked in danger. That said they did manage to win a couple of short corners and our overall defiance was epitomised by Rob Hues. On a late short corner, as we set to defend it, we could hear the Devizes call for a “drag flick”. Ryan and Andy charged out, Rich stood tall, Rob took the ball flush on his hips (the ball was going wide) and he brushed it off like a fly – those close to him detected a mild grimace and I am sure he has the bruise to show for it.

After the game everyone spoke about how satisfying that win was with a slightly depleted squad and it just goes to show that if you keep to the structure, trust and believe in each other and everyone gives their all - the results can be the same. The defence today was awesome, kept another clean sheet, but the foundation for this was built up from the press and tenacity shown in front and this evident all the way throughout the team.

Man of the Match – Without doubt everyone had a good game today, and it could have gone to Dan, Tristan, Mark, Rob, Alex, Ed. But the Man of the Match is Ryan Noble – who was impassable, impenetrable and impossible to play against today. Powerful tackling, surging runs and a real “tour de force” – clearly being given the licence by Rob & Mark to push forward !

Moment of the Match - Aside from Tristan’s second goal and Rob’s reverse aerial, the moment of the day occurred in the Black Horse Pub (nice pie!) afterwards at the post match teas. Akhil Malhotra, was playing his first game for the 2’s and sat with a beaming smile and said “this is the first game for Marlborough I have played in and won !”. We played today Akhil !

Post Match – With North Wilts and Wootton Bassett drawing their game it has meant that Marlborough 2’s are now 3 points clear at the top.