1-1 Draw at Weston-super-Mare

Unfortunately, in what threatens to be the story of our season and despite the captain promising ice creams all round, the prospect of an away trip to Weston-super-Mare proved a hard sell. However, confidence was high after last week's win and the junior section ably stepped up to fill some vacant adult shoes with young Tom Llewelyn making his first start for the 2s.

Things got off to an inauspicious start however when Dr John's Polo overheated 5 miles into our trip, luckily we were rescued by Rob Hues who managed to shoe horn us into his car. Perhaps the combined forces of Staines, Watson and Radnedge proved too much for the poor vehicle.

After the shortest of warm ups we started the game and we were immediately put under pressure by a very physical and quick Weston-super-Mare team and despite some very robust tackling, in particular from chopper Watson, the goal finally came when one of their forwards lost his marker and put the ball past Rich Newton. Our defence continued to be tested time and time again with Rich Newton pulling off some great saves and Rob Hues saving a shot on the line. Ryan Noble was literally everywhere and Tom Llewellyn had a great debut at left back.

Having failed to convert a number of smash and grab counterattacking chances, a Marlborough goal finally arrived in the second half via what the Captain referred to as a National League move: Keith Radnedge drilling the ball into the D just outside the left post with Ed Watson running in to deflected the ball into the goal. Weston became increasingly frustrated as they could not make their pressure pay off and became even more physical. This however backfired when one of their larger players tried to muscle Ed 'the enforcer' Kendall off the ball only for him to be put back in his place.

In the final minutes a winning goal was inches away in what was the best chance of the game: Ed Watson tantalizingly deflecting Will Hughes's cross onto the outside of the post from the tightest of angles. With no further clear cut chances coming at either end the game finished with honours even at 1 - 1.

Marlborough News Online Man of the Match is shared between Will Hughes for running the forward line with real menace and intent, and Tom Llewellyn for a fantastic debut performance.