F.C. Lions of Wycombe overcame falling behind twice to record an outstanding 4-2 against AFC Marlow, who had won every game they had played in the league so far.
There was a few notable absentee's in the Lions squad, with Andy Harris missing the game, aswell as David Grabe (Groin), Jona McNight (Ankle), Marcus Cook (Work), Keegan Casey (Suspended) and Luke Bond (Astroturf burn). Striker Will Carter came into the Line-Up to partner John Tilbury in attack, Ben Phippen moved out wide right and Scott West and Jake Sherwin both returned to the team after missing last week's draw with Penfold Rangers.
The game kicked off in the wet and blustery conditions and both sides had ample opportunities to find the net in an evenly split first 20 minutes of football. The best of the Lions chances fell to John Tilbury who first dragged a left footed effort wide whilst unmarked after good wing play by Scott Sharples then Tilbury again, narrowly missed getting on the end of a fizzing ball across the goalmouth by the impressive Phippen. Jake Sherwin had two 20+ yard efforts saved well by AFC Marlow 'keeper Callum Ackerman and Phippen himself saw a 22 yard free kick narrowly miss the target.
The best chances for Marlow came from set-plays, with Paul Patterson handed several free kicks in shooting distance. One which crashed off the centre of the crossbar, however Lions keeper Tom Stevens seemed to have it covered.
Despite the advantage, The Lions fell behind midway through the first half when a Marlow effort was inadvertently directed past his own goalkeeper by defender Michael Jocelyn. Jake Saunders, making his debut for the away side, was allowed too much time to fire an effort on goal, and Jocelyn, trying his best to block, could only see the effort diverted off the top of his left boot and past the helpless Stevens.
The away side's lead didn't last for too long however, as Ben Phippen finished off a good team move involving Sherwin, Carter and Tilbury. A goal kick was launched forward by Stevens, Jake Sherwin won the flick on in the middle of the park for Carter who controlled the ball with his back to goal, then in one movement flicked it behind the oncoming defender who slipped on the wet surface as he tried to adjust his body and carried it towards the left hand side of the goal, spotting Tilbury who was screaming for the easy pass, once Tilbury received the pass he couldn't get the shot off due to good defensive work by the Marlow defender, so instead he held it up superbly to lay into the path of Phippen who had broke in from the right to sidefoot a cool, calm and collected finish low into the left hand corner.
This signalled the best period of the Lions play and soon afterwards, Royan Collins was left bewildered at how he hadn't put the Lions in front when, after a good bit of passing play around the Marlow box, the ball found Collins to the left hand side of the goal, he took a touch and hammered a powerful effort which looked as though it was nestling in the net, so much so that several Lions players cried out "Yes" in anticipation, only to see the ball somehow blocked on the goaline and deflected away for a corner. From this resulting corner, the Lions again very nearly took the lead when Carter rose highest unchallenged to flick a header towards goal that was almost put in at the far post by Simon Thomas.
The Lions then took extra encouragement when Marlow winger Jamie Piekielniak was forced off the field with a hip injury after a nasty looking collision with Goalkeeper Tom Stevens.
Stevens then produced two superb saves in succession to keep the Lions in the game, the first a stunning save down low to his left to palm a fierce effort past the post, and the second a big hand to parry a deep, overhit Patterson free-kick over the bar. This was reminiscent to Ronaldinho's effort against England over 10 years ago.
On the stroke of Half Time, Marlow's clinical forward Jay Turner was gift wrapped an opportunity to notch his 10th of the season, when a penalty was awarded against Lions winger, Royan Collins for handball. He took the chance and buried the ball low into the bottom right hand corner.
FC Lions kept their heads up however, despite the injustices and showed great character to level in the opening 10 minutes of the second half with Scott Sharples seeing his free kick rebound off the post and following a goalmouth melee, the ball was eventually put in by striker John Tilbury from 5 yards. Royan Collins will claim his first assist of the season after the ball rebounded off his shin in the build up. (!?)
This served as encouragement to the boys who played in green today, having to wear their away kit despite being the home team (!??) Will Carter then brought himself off for Alan Davies with half hour remaining, after having just seen a first time half volley well saved by Ackerman, after good hold up play by Tilbury, and the pendulum had completely swung in the Lions favour five minutes later as Ben Phippen, playing on the right of midfield, in the absence of suspended Keegan Casey, grabbed his second of the game to put the Lions 3-2 to the good. A cross from the Lions left hand side wasn't dealt with by the Marlow defence and Phippen reacted first, clinically finding the net with his 6th goal in all competitions so far this season.
Striker Alan Davies then almost saw his entrance cut short, as after angrily reacting to what he perceived as an un-necessary "kick", he was fortunate to stay on the field as referee Reid chose to keep his cards in his pocket.
A dangerous Scott Sharples run later on caused the Marlow defence further problems and his cross was unfortunately diverted past his own keeper to effectively give FC Lions all three points.
Young striker Jamie Rutland then stepped off the bench to replace Dan Stacey who had picked up a yellow card, and striker JT was made a make-shift left back for the last 10 minutes to see out the win.
All in all, a superb team performance from every single player who participated. At times some beautiful football was played, and the result was thoroughly deserved. The Lions were the better team on the whole for the 90 minutes and played their lofty opponents off the park at times. Credit to the Marlow lads though, who played the game in a fair and competitive manner and there was certainly glimpses in their play to suggest why they are currently in the top 2 of the League Table.
MoM - Michael Jocelyn. Kept Jay Turner in his pocket for the entire game.
