Marlow 2nd XI 4 – 4 Sonning 1st XI

Sonning 1st XI made the short trip to Marlow, missing starting GK Ben Sully and player/coach Neil Pursell from their back five. Jonty Rider was sadly forced to call upon the services of Alasdair Allan in goal, with all other options unavailable, while Pat Thomas started at left back, with Rider himself moving to the centre back position.

After a minute’s silence for Remembrance was observed, Sonning got the game underway in their usual fashion; pressing high and dominating possession. Unlike in last week’s game however, they couldn’t find an early breakthrough and were frustrated by both the conditions and their opponents’ resolute defence.

It was Marlow in fact who struck first and struck twice, against the run of play and on the break. Both times possession was turned over cheaply in the midfield, before Marlow attacked directly and at pace, with some excellent finishing. It had been a clinical start for the home side, with Sonning finding themselves down 0-2.

Sonning weathered a bit of a storm for the next few minutes, with Marlow sensing an upset on the cards and did well to limit their losses. Over time however Sonning steadied themselves, and particularly in the middle of the park; through Richardson, Finlayson and Leach, they began to move the ball with a bit more freedom.

The breakthrough came through a penalty corner shortly before half time, with Leach again the man to open the scoring for Sonning. He had a chance to level proceedings just a few minutes later, but this was well closed down by the Marlow defence, and the half finished 2-1.

After half time, Sonning came out in explosive form. Jimmy Manser turned home a Gallagher cross almost immediately, with Lockhart winning a free hit just outside the circle, quickly taken by Leach. It was simple hockey, played at pace, and if he had been present, coach Pursell would have been purring.

Ian Finlayson added a goal shortly after this, giving Sonning the lead for the first time in what was fast becoming a thrilling game for the very limited number of spectators who had braved the cold and wet conditions. He turned home a chipped cross from Manser, who had beaten his man and done well to draw the last defender in, patiently waiting for Finlayson’s driving run from deep. 2-3.

Sonning got their fourth goal through the birthday boy, Jon Sharp. A neat penalty corner routine saw Sharp turn home from close range, Gallagher with the assist. 2-4.

Sonning spent the next 10 minutes trying to put the game to bed, but whereas a week prior, when they could do no wrong in front of goal, today they just couldn’t seem to convert their chances (of which there were several). Ian Gallagher came closest, put through by Lockhart, but with a diving save the Marlow keeper did just enough to turn his chipped shot wide.

It was then Marlow’s turn to swing the momentum back in their favour. They scored two goals, again in quick succession, after some loose play out from defence by Sonning saw some turnovers in dangerous areas of the pitch. Both goals were avoidable, and Sonning will be disappointed with a 4-4 finish, with three points seemingly in their grasp. It certainly felt more like 2 points dropped than 1 point gained.

Despite this, Sonning find themselves still atop the league, albeit now equal on points with South Berks 1st XI. Next up, a home fixture against Oxford 2nd XI. #COTN #doombararena

Squad: Alasdair Allan, Jonty Rider, Pat Thomas, Sam Terry, Nick Leach, Callum Richardson, Ian Finlayson, Jon Sharp, Ed Williamson, James Lockhart, Ian Gallagher, Jimmy Manser, Noel Plant, Huw Thomas

Goalscorers: Ian Finlayson, Nick Leach, Jimmy Manser, Jon Sharp

MOTM: James Lockhart

DOTD: Huw Thomas