Witney rally to claim share of the spoils with Marlow's Women

Martha Goodridge. Muddy Shots photography

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Marlow’s Women took the lead on three occasions against Witney on Saturday, but the home side managed to fight back on each occasion to claim a share of the spoils.

The Reds took the lead in the early stages when Martha Goodridge created the opportunity for Rachel Clarke to slot home on the rebound.

Witney had several chances before the break, but the visitors held firm. However, those defences were finally breached when Witney equalised from a penalty corner in the 41st minute.

Goodridge carried the fight for Marlow in the second half and inspired her teammates with her play and tenacity. She beat the keeper once again to restore Marlow’s lead, but it proved short lived as Witney hit back almost immediately following a great run and finish from one of their players.

Marlow must have thought they’d clinched all three points when Clarke scored their third - and her second - with three minutes left on the clock. But Witney summoned the strength to fight back once again, capitalising on a defensive error to make it 3-3 at the final whistle.

The second team maintained their slender advantage at the top of the league with a 2-0 away win at Maidenhead.

In warm conditions - and with only one substitute to call upon - the Reds worked tirelessly to come away with a deserved victory.

Olivia Letchford opened the scoring with a reverse stick deflection at the post while Pippa Lloyed added a second from a short corner.

The Marlow Men’s first team failed to take their opportunities as they went down to a 3-2 defeat at Basingstoke.

The Reds knew a win would likely put them in an uncatchable position at the top of the table - however, the pressure weighed heavily on them during this disappointing display.

They were 2-0 down by half-time having missed countless chances and the game continued in this fashion throughout the second half. They played with a bit more fluidity and composure in the second period and eventually scored through Josh Morgans.

They kept pushing for a leveller but were then caught on the break as Basingstoke scored their third following another defensive mistake. Sam North cut the deficit once more from one of many penalty corners, and the Reds had the chance to draw level from a late penalty stroke. Unfortunately, it was saved by Basingstoke’s keeper who was named man of the match.

This Saturday, Marlow host Oxford OBU at Pound Lane at 11.45am, knowing again that a win will likely see them promoted.

The men’s second team took on Sonning 1sts at home and, for a few minutes at least, it seemed they’d run away with the game.

The Reds began well, peppering the Sonning goal with shots, but the visitors then broke away and scored and the hosts failed to find a way through their solid defence.

After two unsuccessful penalty corner attempts, Sam Nicholson eventually fired them level to make it 1-1 at half-time. Will Hunter in the Marlow goal pushed a penalty stroke from Sonning past the post in the second half before the Reds were awarded their own penalty stroke, late in the game. Ollie Green stepped up to confidently dispatch it and Marlow were able to close the game out for a 2-1 win.