2s open their account for the season with a 3-0 win

With all feelings of shame and dishonour from last week's debacle fading into distant memory, it was a confident and crucially larger squad that arrived to do battle with Westbury B.

Right from the start it was clear that this would be a tight game, but with plenty of early possession and some excellent interplay down the right flank, Marlborough began to take charge of proceedings. The first goal came as somewhat of a shock to everyone - Harry Milton swung and missed at the top of the D, Ed Watson bunted the ball goal-wards while most players waited for the umpire's whistle to blow. When it did finally blow, a goal appeared to have been scored, although the overriding emotion on the faces of both teams was confusion.

As the first half progressed, Westbury looked more dangerous and created several chances overlapping down their right wing. However, it was a neat combination of Mark Ramage and Ed Watson which provided a goal of no debate, the former providing yet another defence splitting pass, the latter neatly slotting the ball into the corner of the goal past the onrushing keeper.

The second half saw yet more pressure from Westbury, including a period of four or five short corner in quick succession, but the Marlborough defence held firm, helped by some excellent saves from Rich Newton in goal. With a half court press in operation, there was plenty of space to attack behind enemy lines, although quite how Ryan Noble managed to find himself in a two on one with the last man (having charged up from central defence) is anyone's guess.

Having ridden a fair amount of luck, it was Marlborough who had the last word from a short corner near to time. Keith Radnedge slipped the ball back to injector, Dan Crossman, who flicked into the back of the net from the tightest of angles. A bittersweet moment for Keith, stood as he was waiting patiently for the return pass unmarked on the flick spot.

In truth, the scoreline flattered Marlborough somewhat as Westbury (playing with a bare 11) deserved to get something out of the game having certainly not had the rub of the green. However, this was a very positive response from Marlborough following the previous week's drubbing, which hopefully shows signs of good things to come.

Honourable mentions this week go to Rich Newton for a sterling clean sheet performance in goal, John Sowerby for a promising debut, but in a legitimate and totally unbiased call from the legion of spectators (the injured Nick Jephson) the Marlborough News Online Man of the Match is awarded to Ed Watson.