Our game this morning against Penfold Rangers hit a major blow as centre midfield Robbie Morton pulled out the match day squad yesterday after picking up a slight groin injury. Jake Saunders still carrying a back injury came into the side in a centre defensive midfielder. Other team news see Paul Patterson make his first start for AFC Marlow since November.
After a frustrating 20 minutes, AFC Marlow started to get the ball down and move it around the pitch and after James Turner won the ball in the corner flag on the left hand side he turned onto his right foot and found Lee Putnam on the edge of the edge, after studding the ball into the ground and past a Penfold defender only a brilliant save from the Penfold keeper kept the score at 0-0.
Then came probably a decision that i hope everyone that plays from the club will learn from. James Turner ran through on goal and was one on one with the keeper when the last Penfold defender tripped the striker on the edge of the box. With half a dozen appeals from AFC Marlow player's for a red card to be shown (I really feel let down by those who appealed for a card as not only could you get a caution, it's a sign of unsportsmanship), the referee then changed his mind and only booked the player. Paul Patterson put the resulting free kick just over the bar.
Just before half time Lee Putnam had to be withdrawn as he was feeling sick and Jonny Watts came on as his replacement. With very few chances both teams went in at half time still level at 0-0. Michael Skeath who was called up to the squad in midweek replaced Paul Patterson at half time.
The second half started with the same tempo and although Penfold showed signs of catching us out at our own game, AFC Marlow constantly pushed player's forward looking for the opening goal. On the 65 minute whilst we pushed for the opening goal, we were caught out by a long clearance which goalkeeper Callun Akerman had to come for, luckily for the keeper the Penfold striker stayed on his feet and after nicking the ball away from the keeper, rolled it into an empty net, 1-0 Penfold.
The came the deciding change, James Turner was once again tripped just outside the box which the defender was again cautioned for. Enter new signing Billy Mason who replaced Grant Oxlade. This change see Dean Oxlade move to right back and the team change to a 4-4-2 formation. Billy's first touch as an AFC Marlow player, was to push an indirect free kick into his stride and narrowly striking just past the far post. As we pressed for an equaliser, Jake Saunders long ball forward found it's way to James Turner who brought us level when he managed to toe the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper, 1-1 and looking the stronger team.
With less then 5 minutes to go AFC Marlow nicked the 3 points when Jonny Watts strike was thumbled in the box by the Penfold keeper into James Turner's feet who could only play it against the keeper, the ball then feel for Jamie Piekielniak to put past the keeper and win us the game.
Man of the match today was Billy Mason who came on as a sub and changed the game for AFC Marlow with some quality link up play with striker James Turner. Great come back and performance today. Have to feel for Penfold Rangers who battled till the last.
