Sonning 1st XI 3 - 3 Marlow 2nd XI

Sonning welcomed Marlow to the Doom Bar Arena for this mid-week friendly, of three 20min periods, hoping to improve upon a somewhat underwhelming first pre-season match against Aylesbury. Skipper Paul Brown offered debuts to Jonny 'JP' Partenheimer up-front, Jack Kelly in midfield, and young Mitch Miller between the sticks.

Marlow are a technically and tactically adept side, and play some nice hockey, so offered ideal foil for Sonning to test themselves against (they are also the Ning's first league opponents this year!), and both sides started well in possession, while maintaining disciplined defensive presses. Sonning had the lion's share of the play, but Marlow struck first, clinically tucking away on their first foray into the Sonning circle. 0-1.

This scoreline didn't last long, with debutant Partenheimer slotting a neat deflection after an incisive break through Matt Poulton and Dave Painter respectively, before Marlow re-took the lead shortly after, after a scrappy phase of play. 1-2 at the end of the first third.

The second 20 minutes was a much more aggressive and end-to-end affair, both sides looking dangerous and full of intent. First, Sonning struck their second equaliser of the day, with roles reversed, as Partenheimer played in a devastating through ball to David Painter, who neatly deflected in for 2-2. Marlow broke through once again however shortly after, taking advantage of some lax marking in the midfield. 2-3. They then kept Sonning on the back foot for the remainder of the period, with only Mitch Miller's heroics in goal keeping the home side in contention.

The final third probably belonged slightly more to Sonning, and although Marlow defended resolutely and had their own moments, the home side began to dominate possession once again, with Chris Hinton really getting into the game from the middle of the park. It was a combination of Poulton and Partenheimer who managed to find the third equaliser of the day, with Poulton quickly taking a free hit on the right side of the Marlow circle, quickly moving the ball before playing a ball to Partenheimer on the top of the circle. Partenheimer then hit a sweet reverse strike that went in off the crossbar which fell almost in time to the full time whistle.

Next up, and just 40hrs later, Sonning will face Wallingford 1s again at the lane. 10am pushback.

Goalscorers: Jonny Partenheimer 2, David Painter
MOTM: Jonny Partenheimer / Mitch Miller
DOTD: Not today...