Marlow 2nd XI 1 - 1 Sonning 1st XI

In what feels increasingly like a weekly fixture, Sonning made the short trip to Pound Lane to play Marlow in their opening match of the competitive season. On a pitch that has not been kind to them in the last few years they walked away with a hard fought point, against a youthful and organised Marlow.

Sonning definitely started the game on the front foot, pretty much from the first whistle, as Jonny Partenheimer picked a dreadful attempt at an aerial from the Marlow centre-back out of the air (at knee height though...), and drove towards the circle, where a last ditch tackle stopped him from getting his shot away.

In previous years this fixture has started slowly with neither side willing to gamble, but this year felt different and chances came and went throughout the first half, perhaps the best of which fell to the tireless David Painter. Mark Dobbie broke down play on top of the Sonning circle and fed James Lockhart on the right wing. He drove infield and beat his man, holding the ball for a few seconds before releasing a long weighted pass that Painter picked up on the top of the Marlow circle after a 40 yard sprint from left wing. He rounded the keeper before getting his shot away. Sonning were just starting their celebration before a Marlow defender came from nowhere, sliding in and clearing off the line. Fair play.

Sonning then had a couple of penalty corners, with their routines going well. But they were unable to beat Marlow's young keeper, who like a man possessed, got pads to everything from drag flicks to deflections. Marlow then had their first corner of the game, but unfortunately Alasdair Allan, unlike his young counterpart, was once again sluggish to get down to a simple deflection routine. Thoroughly disappointing. 1-0 Marlow.

Things then went from bad to worse, with Paul Brown stretchered off after a heavy fall, and Matt Sloper benched for 2 minutes after being green-carded for a heavy challenge. Despite this, they hung on until the break without further loss, much to the chagrin of the baying Marlow crowd, who seemed keen to boo and jeer basically everything Sonning did, as if the majestic blue & gold represented some kind of pantomime villain.

Coach Ali Raza earned his crust at half time, keeping the troops calm, instilling some belief, and adding some key tactical input, and after the break, Sonning looked like a much improved side. Jack Kelly and David Painter caused some damage on the left wing, while Sam Terry and James Lockhart created plenty of chances on the right. In possibly the best of the game so far, Lockhart found Partenheimer after beating two men and cutting back from the baseline, but his shot crept agonisingly over the bar.

Sonning also won themselves several penalty corners, with Matt Poulton in particular finding feet and heavy challenges wherever he turned. Once again though, either Marlow's keeper saved or Sonning missed the target and the score remained. That was until around 10 minutes to play, when Partenheimer picked up a pass from Poulton and finally got a clean shot away from the right-hand channel, leaving the keeper no chance. 1-1.

The last 10 minutes got a bit tasty, with neither side backing down, both intent on finding a winner. Marlow had one chance in particular with a powerfully crossed ball travelling all the way from right wing to left, through a congested Sonning circle. Any touch could surely have tipped it in but somehow it made it through without any contact.

So after a nervy last couple of minute, the game ended 1-1, and despite being short on goals, it was high on drama. Both teams will probably be pleased with a draw on the opening day of the season, with Sonning perhaps disappointed to not make the most of their chances and probably having the lion's share of possession on the day.

Up next, a home game at the Doombar Arena against newly promoted British Airways 1st XI. This will be a bit of an unknown, with these sides having not met in around 5 years.

Goalscorer: Jonny Partenheimer
MOTM: James Lockhart
DOTD: Matt Sloper