New kit, new pitch, first win.

Most match reports will involve describing the goals and then some filler to make up the paragraphs. This one will mainly be filler and the mention of some goals, which may or may not have been scored by the parties mentioned. What I am definitely sure of is that both the skipper and vice-captain are both goalless this season; long may it continue. The Dark Lord also made an appearance I think.

After Taunton had beaten West Wilts 4-0 the previous week, Marlborough were expecting a tough game. However, with a strong side welcoming back Andy Thomson and Gareth Playfair into midfield a home win was considered vital. Jules Riches continued to laugh in the face of retirement, Caswell laughed in the face of TB and Joe Arkwright laughed in the face of ‘goal of the season’ accolades with a hatrick all from a yard out. I would say that they were all great team goals, but I can’t remember any of them (see lead sentence). Sorry Joe.

Taunton started strongly and had the better of the first 10 minutes as Marlborough struggled to match the Somerset side’s formation. However, Marlborough wrestled control, which I would like to place on record had nothing to do with Caswell’s pre-season training curse befalling him with a bad back and putting him out of the game. Soon the emerald greens had the ball in the goal, only for Charlie Down to appeal to the umpires to have noticed his foot 3 passes earlier and repeal the goal. Which they did. Charlie: you’ll get your reward in heaven.

No matter, Marlborough controlled the game from then on and made it 3-0 before half time. Phillips scored a fine team goal, and 2 others were scored by some others – I expect Joe had one and probably Playfair (see lead sentence). Taunton were pulled apart by the constant running of the front 3 and special mention should go to Will Radnedge who had an excellent game at the top of the diamond.

The second half began as the first ended – Marlborough were soon 5-0 up after Playfair had scored his second coming in from the right and putting it into the corner and then Joe probably got his second (see lead sentence). As in most games, the home team had a sleepy 10 minutes where we failed to pass to our own team and paid for it with pressure and leaking a couple of sloppy goals.

No matter, with the home team duly woken from their slumber, Joe (probably) scored his 3rd and Marlborough’s 6th before the only goal I can remember was scored to seal the victory. Thomson would tell you it is etched on my memory for the high class finish, but it had more to do with some comedy poor timing from Taunton’s defence. With Taunton packing their defence, Playfair took a long corner on the right, and in a usual Big G way, pratted around with it for the customary 5 metres, while Taunton sent half their team to track him down. However, just as a Taunton player shouted ‘don’t worry, he’s not going anywhere’ Gareth fired a cross into the D, evading everyone except an unmarked Thomson at the far post who had a tap-in from a foot out. Oh how we laughed. And I'm very pleased to see Mrs T outscored her hubby: we need to keep him quiet.

So, a 7-2 win which even our eternally pessimistic skipper was pleased with. Next week an away game, probably on a sand based astro – how quaint.
Goals (probably): Arkwright 3, Playfair 2, Phillips 1, Thomson 1.