Marlow face crucial test at Hartley Wintney after surprise defeat to Westfield

Marlow’s players celebrate Ben Mulley’s opener. Photo: Steven Galvin

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Marlow failed to build on their early lead against Westfield on Saturday, as they missed the chance to put daylight between themselves and Leatherhead in the battle to finish second.

The Blues got off to a perfect start at Oak Tree Road when Ben Mulley fired them in front after only three minutes, but a brace of goals from Jordan Alves either side of half-time saw Westfield secure all three points.

The result means Marlow and Leatherhead are still locked together on 80 points, with the Blues in second thanks to their superior goal difference.

Both teams still have three league games to play, with the Blues in action this evening (Tuesday) at Hartley Wintney and Leatherhead going to Badshot Lea on Thursday.

With Chertsey Town having wrapped up the Isthmian League South Central title in recent weeks, Marlow and Leatherhead are fighting for second place, and the slight advantage of a home tie against the team that finishes fifth (currently Raynes Park Vale) in the end-of-season play-off semi-finals.

With Leatherhead not in action, Marlow looked to be on their way to opening up a three-point gap over their rivals when Mulley found the net after only three minutes. But for once, their prolific strike force of Dawid Rogalski and Dave Tarpey failed to fire, and Westfield fought back to take victory.

Afterwards, manager Mark Bartley posted: “Just one of those days today.

“We never fully ignited, and we couldn’t capitalise on our early breakthrough.

“These things happen though, and we’re already focused on making sure we deliver a better performance on Tuesday night.”

The Blues have been impressively consistent this season, however, that form has been checked by the odd surprise result. On most occasions, they’ve bounced back in fine style, and they’ll be looking to do that again at 10th placed Hartley Wintney this evening.

They then face a trip to South Park on Saturday before rounding off the league season with a home game against Hanworth Villa on Saturday, April 27.

In between those two matches they’ll also host Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday, April 23, for a place in the final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup.

The Blues reached the final last season, losing narrowly to Bracknell at Ascot United’s Racecourse Ground.

Reading’s u23s side lie in wait for the victors with the final set to take place at Slough Town’s Arbour Park ground on Tuesday, May 14. The young Royals overcame Flackwell Heath on penalties to reach the final.