AFC Marlow went into yesterday's game against Hithercroft Reserves with a strong 15 man squad with only 3 more points needed to be crowned champions of div 4. There were a few changes from Wednesday's 2-1 win over AFC Liberal which see Adam Brooks replace Jonny Watts on the Right Wing, Grant Oxlade started at Right back on his birthday and Dean Oxlade replaced Robbie Morton in Centre Midfield.
From kick off AFC Marlow knew they were in for a tough game as the young Hithercroft team pressed us from the start and on their short, narrow slopey pitch AFC Marlow struggled to play the ball out their own half or get the ball into midfielders feet so we were resorted to the long ball game which was also proving unsuccessful as we were kicking up hill. After only 4 minutes we took the lead when Grant Oxlade's shot was deflected into the path of top goal scorer James Turner who converted the early chance, 1-0 AFC Marlow. Hithercroft then picked their game up another level and forced AFC Marlow's defence were forced back onto the edge of our box. Hithercroft then caught us out on the counter when Eric Tama's throw on from the left was headed clear to their left midfielder who turn and play their striker in behind who slotted past AFC Marlow's onrushing goalkeeper Callun Akerman, 1-1. Hithercroft then nearly took the lead when again we were caught out on the counter attack down our right hand side, we were saved as the Hithercroft striker tried a cheeky dink over our keeper only to see it go just over the bar. It started 1-1 till the break.
After some strong words and a change, AFC Marlow came out for the second half with Dean Oxlade dropping into the right back role, which see Grant Oxlade come off and Robbie Morton retain his normal centre mid role next to Jake Saunders. As Hithercroft were kicking up hill in the second half they struggled to press and force as much pressure as they did in the first half which in return made it easier for AFC Marlow to start moving the ball around the pitch. After 10 minutes of the restart Robbie Morton was then replaced with a precautional hamstring by Billy Mason, who instantly made an impact by spraying passes into our wingers feet and into striker, James Turner. On the 70th minute we took the lead again for the second time in the game as Lee Putnam's through ball to James Turner was slotted past the keeper and into the far corner. AFC Marlow then made another change when Paul Patterson was replaced on the 75th minute by Jake Saunders at Centre Back and Jonny Watts took up the holding role next to Billy Mason with Lee Putnam sitting just in front. All 3 points were confirmed on the 89th minute, when Lee Putnam's low corner was first missed by one Hithercroft player and swung at by another before being smashed into the net by Billy Mason on his left foot from 6 yards out. AFC Marlow then see the remaining seconds out by playing both wingers into the corner flag searching for a 4th. After the full time whistle and the gaffer's emotional team talk the party begun with first 4 bottles of Cava, a crate of foster's & a crate of Strongbow.
Man of the match has been awarded to Lee Putnam for assisting in both winning goal's but i would like to state that the whole team could of won man of the match as they stuck at the task and brought those massive 3 points home. CHAMPIONS!!
