Three vital points for Marlborough 2s

A brisk morning brought the risk of a cancellation, but thankfully the sun rose high enough to thaw the top pitch enough for an 11.30 push back. Yet again it was a scratch team who assembled: the 2s welcomed their 29th different player of the season! Thankfully things clicked pretty quickly and the first 10 minutes saw Marlborough put Bristol & West under real pressure, Toby Sampson opening the scoring with a smart deflection from a trademark Rich Holman slider. Early optimism of a rout was sadly misplaced as a well organised away team began to see a little more of the ball. There then followed a crazy 5 minutes where Bristol & West pulled ahead, first through a short corner and then an intercepted aerial cross-field ball. The scores were level by half time thanks to another defection by Will Radnedge - the team talk focusing on finding width and staying patient.

In what was turning out to be a topsy-turvy game, Marlborough slotted two more goals in quick succession, both from close range with Keith Radnedge and Will Hughes on hand to slot the ball past the keeper. The end of the game was predictably frenetic with Bristol & West pressing very high, which contributed to both remaining goals. The undisputed moment of the match came close to time as a fine aerial straight from the defensive 16 by Rich Holman bypassed the whole away team in their high press, finding Gareth Playfair unmarked who, not for the first time in his career, drifted into the D, decided against sliding the ball to a far post waiting Toby Sampson but instead calmly dispatched the ball into the top left of the net. An end to end goal in Tesla-esque speed.

Marlborough News Online Man of the Match goes to evergreen Keith Radnedge who returning from injury (rather earlier in the game than planned) showed all his class and anticipation in defence, as well as opening his scoring account for the season.