AFC Marlow went into this morning's clash with division 1 side Naphill Mens in the Berks & Bucks Sunday Junior Cup second round. Jordan Phillips returned to the squad after missing last weeks victory over Totteridge Albion. There was also a first call up of the season for Lee Putnam. Both player's came into replace the injured Tom Verity, absent Jamie Piekielniak and Grant Oxlade missed the game through illness.
Starting in a 4-3-3 formation, AFC Marlow struggled to get going from the start and seemed to not be up for this morning's game. Naphill took the lead within the first 20 minutes when the ball was cut back from the left into the striker, who finished inside the near post. The neutral would say that it was a well deserved goal as AFC Marlow, who seemed a different team, were pulling out of tackles, arguing with each other and generally struggling to pin Naphill back. Jonny Watts had our best chance of the first half but couldn't control James Turner's cross and with Turner himself getting frustrated with the lack of support. AFC Marlow soon changed to a 4-4-1-1 formation with Jonny Watts playing as a Centre Forward and Ryan Lowe operating down the left side.
H/T: AFC Marlow 0-1 Naphill Mens.
After a stern team talk at half time and a half time change, which saw Dean Oxlade replace Jordan Phillips at right back. AFC Marlow started the second half in a more positive attitude. Then came the game changer! With tackle's flying in from both team's, AFC Marlow's striker James Turner seemed to go over the top of the ball whilst trying to get the ball under control which saw the Naphill player hit the floor which the referee awarded Naphill the free kick they deserved. Then a came a moment no one likes to see, the Naphill striker decided to race over to the referee and appealed for our striker to be sent off. After a bit of pushing a shoving from both teams, James Turner see his third yellow card of the season. Jonny Watts was meanwhile replaced by Lee Putnam.
After the stoppage in play, AFC Marlow seemed to restart the strong side and with 15 minutes remaining, Adam Brooks found James Turner in space, who was aloud to turn onto his weaker foot and after taking a touch to set himself lashed an inch perfect strike from 30 yards with his left foot which swerved away from the Naphill keeper to come off the post then crossbar before ending up in the back of the net, game on 1-1, 15 to play.
With 10 minutes to go, Callun Akerman saved a low hard strike from a Naphill player before releasing Lee Putnam who after some nice passing in the middle with Billy Mason got to the touchline, pulled his cross back from J.T to smash home from 6 yards, this season us take total control of the game.
2 soon became 3 when Lee Putnam, from the left this time, after some decent football found himself again on the touchline and again pulled the ball back this time for Billy Mason, who after selling the centre back with a left footed fake, slotted home our third of the game to see us through to the 3rd Round of the Berks & Bucks Sunday Junior Cup.
