Reds take on the best: Marlow's women shine indoors while U14s knock out Reading

With the mid-season National League break continuing, attention last weekend turned towards Marlow’s u14s girls’ team, and the women’s first team, who were competing in the England Hockey League Indoor competition.

Having qualified as regional champions just prior to Christmas with an almost faultless record, the Reds travelled to Canterbury this weekend conscious of the fact they’d be coming up against both Premier and First Division Hockey clubs.

The Division 2 South side finished in a creditable fifth place, their sole victory coming in comfortable fashion against Maidstone.

They also went toe-to-toe with higher ranked opponents and generally gave a good account of themselves.

In their first match, the Reds made a quick start and led Premiership club Hampstead & Westminster 2-0 before the London side fought back to restore parity and then scrambled over the line for a 4-2 win with a couple of late goals.

Marlow’s other performance of note came against a star-studded Old Georginas side which contained five internationals – four from Great Britain – among their starting six!

Once again, Marlow made a bright start and led them 3-2 as half-time approached, but the quality of their opponents eventually told with Old Georgians battling back for a 6-4 win.

OGS knew they’d been given a tough game however, and their behaviour at times tested the patience of the umpires.

The experience for Marlow’s women was therefore a very positive one. They come away from the indoor competition knowing they can compete against some of the best hockey teams and players in the county and this should serve them well when their outdoor league season resumes at the end of January.

The club’s u14s girls A team also showed their great promise as they defied challenging weather conditions to knock local rivals Reading out of the England Hockey Cup.

Having been held to a draw by Reading earlier in the season, this was always likely to be a hard-fought match, but the Reds had the edge and qualify for the quarterfinals of the competition.

There was an early scare for Marlow when Reading hit the crossbar, but they settled into their stride soon afterwards. Finding and exploiting space on the wings, Marlow took the lead mid-way through the first half when a neat passing move resulted in Valentina Head-Ferrari sidestepping the keeper and slotting home. The score remained the same through to half-time, but Marlow had looked the better side, so it was no surprise when Lucy Hellewell – a thorn in Reading’ side all afternoon – extended their advantage early in the second half.

Reading cut the deficit with a well worked goal soon afterwards, but Georgia Welch restored Marlow’s two goal cushion with a neat finish a few minutes later and the Reds completed their win in comfortable fashion, to the acclaim of an enthusiastic crowd. They’ll now wait to learn who their opponents in the last eight will be.