No joy for Marlow as Men and Women fall short against Clifton Robinsons

Marlow’s newly promoted men’s side have had a challenging start to life in the National League Conference West, with the Reds losing 4-1 at home to a strong and well-organised Clifton Robinsons side on Sunday.

Having lost a close encounter at home to the Team Bath Buccaneers on the opening day, the newly promoted Reds were determined to bounce back with a positive performance and result at Pound Lane on Sunday.

Unfortunately, they came up against a Clifton Robinsons side who were in decent form after winning their first match of the season at home to ISCA.

The Reds saw plenty of the ball in the first half, but they were chasing the game from the sixth minute when Robinsons snatched the lead through Harry Skinner following a well-worked penalty corner routine.

A second goal followed from Zack Glasgow in the 17th minute and though the Reds attacked with purpose at times, they were thwarted by the Bristol side’s well drilled defence and alert goalkeeper.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Marlow threatening at times without converting. Clifton Robinsons scored their third through Isaac Hocking three minutes after the restart, and though this triggered a response from the hosts - and several penalty corners - they struggled to score a goal their overall play merited.

They eventually had some joy when Theo Seymour - the youngest member of the team - weaved his way through the visitor’s backline. His initial shot came off the keeper but looped up kindly for him to sweep home and make it 3-1. Marlow pressed hard for a second goal which might have made the closing stages quite interesting; however, Sam Ratliffe added a fourth from a penalty corner in the 70th minute, giving the match a scoreline that harshly reflected the balance of play.

Marlow sit second bottom on goal difference above Fareham who’ve been well beaten in their opening matches. The Reds play their first away game at Exeter University on Sunday.

Marlow’s women were involved in a much closer affair with Clifton Robinsons 2nds at Pound Lane on Saturday, but the result also went the way of the visitors from Bristol.

The Reds started the game strongly, pressing the Clifton defence backwards and forcing an early penalty corner which the visitors defended well.

Lena Sykora continued to make inroads for the Reds and made several interceptions to break up their play.

The home side’s keeper Alys Ramm was also called upon to make some saves from penalty corners. but that pressure told in the 12th minute when Ramm was beaten by a well-struck shot from Carys Davies.

Clifton came close to extending their advantage as they forced a series of penalty corners early in the second half, but the home side held firm.

Marlow captain Lana Wallis came close on a couple of occasions in the second half, but the visitors held on for victory.

The results leave the women bottom of the Conference West table as one of three teams without a point so far. This Saturday, they travel to second placed Cardiff & Met 1sts.