Both F.C. Lions of Wycombe and AFC Marlow missed an opportunity to add substantial points to their haul this Sunday morning, and settled for a share of the spoils after a drab goal-less draw at Gossmore Lane.
The Lions chose to stick with the same 4-2-3-1 formation that was first featured last week, in the 2-3 reverse at home to Penfold Rangers, with the returning Royan Collins coming in on the left hand side of an attacking midfield 3, behind lone striker John Tilbury, who also returned after missing the previous week. Simon Thomas returned to centre back and Keegan Casey started in an unfamiliar left back role, replacing Dan Stacey, who was omitted from the squad of 14.
The home side had the better of the first half as the Lions struggled to impose their attacking threat on the game, and but for the heroic attempts of the Lions back four and the utter determination of stopper Tom Stevens, they would've had the lead at the break. Midfielder Jake Sherwin deserves credit in this time for first blocking an attempt on the goal-line and then heading another away from just under the crossbar moments later when AFC Marlow applied a sustained period of pressure, winning and failing to capitalise on a series of corners.
Lions midfielder Royan Collins saw his effort hit the post before Simon Thomas slammed the rebound into the side netting to leave manager Carter with his head in his hands on the touchline. This was the start of a good 5 minute spell from the Lions, who had finally started to play football in the oppositions half and first Tilbury, then Phippen missed good opportunities to open the scoring. The latter failing to hit the target from 10 yards out, after a clever move involving Scott Sharples and Tilbury.
As in the first game, only 4 weeks ago, Lions defender Michael Jocelyn was asked to man mark the League's deadliest marksman so far, in Jay Turner. Turner having rattled in an astonishing 16 league goals in only 7 games up until this game, proved the focal point of Marlow's attack, and time and time again, he was the one person the home side looked for, for inspiration. Having scored 5 times the previous week against Ickford Reserves, he could be forgiven for thinking he'd continue his fine goal-scoring form, but like the previous game, the Lions defence, and Jocelyn in particular were doing a fine job of minimalizing his threat. On the couple of occasions he was allowed a shot, Tom Stevens responded to parry the ball away.
Turner then blazed a 25 free kick high over the bar, as the last action of note.
With the first half over, manager Carter decided to abandon the 4-2-3-1 during the break, and instead reverted to the tried and tested 4-4-2 in an effort to galvanise the Lions attacking potential. Captain Scott Sharples moved out to the left flank, whilst Ben Phippen was pushed up alongside Tilbury at the start of the second period. Both players had struggled to have a major impact in the opening half, with Phippen forced to drop deeper and deeper in an attempt to get a hold of the ball, and Sharples looking a shadow of himself, of recent games.
It was hoped that the change would enable the Lions to play the free flowing football that they've shown in recent games, and create the opportunities that would enable them to win the game.
A catalogue of unfortunate injuries then disrupted the Lions, and first Andy Harris, who had enjoyed a productive game in central midfield, was forced off inside the first 15 minutes to be replaced by defender, Luke Bond, who slotted in at right back, with Scott West switching to left midfield temporarily, and Sharples coming inside to partner the impressive Sherwin. Then as if this wasn't enough, star defender Jocelyn was injured as a result of a challenge by Turner, which brought an end to the fair and entertaining battle between the two players. Alan Davies was summoned off the bench as a replacement, with striker John Tilbury filling in as emergency centre back for the final quarter of the game.
Tilbury was called upon immediately to usher away a loose ball from the lurking Turner, who took delight in the space offered to him, now that his marker was off the field.
The enforced changes meant F.C. Lions lost a bit of rhythm in their play and the pendulum looked to have eventually swung in the favour of the home side, and they perhaps thought they had got the goal they perhaps deserved when forward Jamie Piekielniak saw his looping header drop onto the crossbar and over with 10 minutes remaining.
F.C. Lions manager Will Carter then introduced himself as the clock ticked down, and he came on up front to partner Alan Davies, with the hard working Scott West handed linesman duties for the final minutes.
With the game petering out, there were few chances for either side late on, first Royan Collins shot tamely at Ackerman, when a pull back to either Carter or Sherwin on the edge of the box would've been the better option. Then Lions keeper Tom Stevens produced a simply fantastic save, spreading himself wide when Turner lost John Tilbury on the edge of the box and homed in on goal.
Substitute Carter then had his moment of glory plucked from above his head, when Scott Sharples dangerous cross was missed at the near post by Davies before looping up for Carter who waited for the ball to drop before Marlow keeper Ackerman raced off his line to gather from the strikers head.
All in all, a very fair, even and enjoyable game between two evenly matched teams. F.C. Lions will leave the happier of the sides, and can be proud of taking 4 points in 6 off of a very good, and well organized Marlow side.
