Clarke scores winner for Marlow's women in thrilling victory over Trojans

Martha Goodridge. Muddy Shots Photography.

--

Marlow's women have given themselves a much-needed buffer over teams at the bottom of their National League division after coming from behind to defeat Trojans 1sts at Pound Lane on Saturday.

The first fixture between the two teams resulted in an agonising 1-0 defeat for the Reds, but the memory of that loss galvanised them heading into Saturday's rematch on home turf.

Trojans started with the better tempo and took the lead through a coolly dispatched penalty corner in the first half from Sheehan. However, Marlow captain Matha Goodridge levelled matters just three minutes later before Rachel Clarke was unfortunate to strike the crossbar.

The Reds did eventually forged ahead just minutes before half-time through a deflected penalty corner from Colette Fitzpatrick.

The Trojans battled back to retake the lead thanks to two goals in the space of two minutes from the formidable Sheehan, however, Marlow's heads did not drop.

Ellie Yeomans equalized with a quarter of the game to go and after Alys Ramm was forced into several fine saves Clarke scored a vital winner to make it 4-3.

Marlow now hold an eight-point advantage over the relegation zone.

Marlow's 2nd team were made to work extremely hard for their 1-0 win over Windsor 1sts on Saturday, with Tanya Lumley's second-half strike proving the difference between the two teams.

Marlow generally had a measure of control in the game, but they had to be alert to the home side's counter attacking threat.

Ruby Duncan looked assured in saving a couple of corner strikes and Marlow had plenty of circle entries of their own. However, the game appeared to be headed for a frustrating stalemate until a moment of magic from Lumley saw her turn smartly to create enough space to slide home a reverse stick shot into the bottom corner.

The win keeps the 2nd team firmly in promotion contention.

The 3rd team drew 0-0 with Oxford Hawks 3rds, the 4ths lost 1-0 to Sonning 3rds away, the 5ths lost 6-0 to Maidenhead 3rds, the 6ths beat Newbury & Thatcham 4ths 4-0 away and the 7ths lost 4-0 to Wycombe 5ths

Marlow men’s 1st team pulled off a potentially decisive victory over Trojans on Saturday to move five points clear of them at the top of the table.

A frantic start to the game saw the Trojans score slightly against the run of play in the 25th minute but Marlow managed to put the setback behind them and heap more pressure on the visiting goal.

It paid off when they won their first penalty corner of the match which was scored by captain Sam North.

The furious pace of the game continued in the second half, and Marlow's defence had to be focused, with Ollie Deasy marshalling them well.

Marlow carried the greater threat though and scored again in the 50th minute when Owen Heale found the back of the net with a well-directed shot.

North then converted again from another penalty corner to give the Reds further breathing space and they held out reasonably comfortably without conceding one penalty corner.

Marlow's 2nd team found it hard going at Winchester 1sts on Saturday as they lost 4-0.

The 3rd team defeated Sonning 2nds 2-0 away, the 4ths defeated Staines 3rds 5-0 and the 5ths lost 4-0 away to Amersham & Chalfont 4ths.