M2s claim deserved victory.

This match report is sponsored by Colm Hanlon, DoD for the day. Please excuse the spelling.

The Sonning lads turned up to Marlow away on an early wet fixture, riding high from the game last week against Henley. Alex Green turned up slightly later than everyone else, and talk turned to how Beasley injured him in training. Beasley seemed apprehensive about how Greeny was going to hand out his sweet revenge. This, in turn, led to the conversation about the famous on-field fight in the great Newcastle v Villa clash of 2005! Between Dyer and Bowyer who were both on the same team. To some of the team, this only happened a few years ago but as we found out, Soli wasn’t even born when this happened. He had a perplexed face over this talk of ancient history. Before leaving the changing room, Pat gave his captain's talk, which was going well until he mugged off Keeper Ali.

On to the game, Sonnings warm up well with run around the local Marlow area and plenty of time on the pitch. Colm told everyone that the far side of the pitch was slippery, but no one seemed to take heed of this. Marlow as per, where full of young fit lads and a few wise heads, so Sonning knew they would need all of their 4 subs to keep up with the running.

Marlow started the stronger team with the young legs running and putting Sonning under pressure, which the defence soaked up. Sonning grew into the game and created some chances, in an end to end opening 15 minutes. Nathan calling the shots from the back line got Sonning back in control. The back line started creating play from the back and Gaz and Soli getting the ball up the line to start attacking plays. Heavy weight JT showed Greeny how to throw his weight around and slow the Marlow-willing runners. From one of the Sonning Attacks, we won a shorty which ALB Flicked to the exact spot he called, it was just a shame it was to the end of a Marlow stick. The first half ebbed and flowed with Sonning having a goal disallowed from Pete as Colm was judged to have hit with his backstick in a pass shot to set Pete up. Sonning used the number of subs well and rotated around. The first half finished 0-0 with Sonning feeling that that game was there for the talking.

Pat and Nathan imparted some wisdom at half time for Sonning to take on board.

The second half began with Sonning putting Marlow under pressure straight away and didn’t let up for the full 35 minutes. Marlow had the occasional attack into the Sonning 25. Keeper Ali had to make a few saves none of which the writer remembers well enough to write about. This is mainly because Sonnings defence intercepted and shut down their attacks quickly. Beasly used his reach to stop a lot of the attacks and transferred the ball around to kick off some attackers. Notable mention to Tim Greenbank who won a foot race to shut down Marlow getting away. The midfield for Sonning had JT and Greeny providing structure with Dougy and Lappin the width and lead legs. Sonning built the phases of the play from the back through the midfield and up to the forward line. Who between Pat, Colm, Pete, ALB and Dan kept the Marlow defence on their toes and ensured a hard day at the office. Sonning played a high press and kept Marlow in their own half for extended periods of time. Winning some short corners and a few opportunities. One of the Opportunities ALB put Colm through with a bouncing ball which Colm touched past a defender and was unlucky to not be awarded a P-flick, for the defender hitting his stick when clear through on goal. Much to Colms Frustration. In the constant pressure that Sonning were putting on Marlow, Greeny used his weight as JT had shown him earlier and in an accidental collision with the Marlow midfielder gave the player a bloody nose. In another Sonning attack, the Marlow keeper kicked the ball away only towards the top of the D, Colm charged on the ball and won it first before being cleaned out by the keeper. P-flick given. Colm said he wanted it and stepped up. The p-flick was not the best and easily saved by the keeper to his left. ‘You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take’. By all accounts, Sonnings men need to work on this in training, 5 missed this season in the top 2 teams. Sonning blushes were saved by super swan diver JT who somehow managed to poke the ball through the keepers legs to get Sonning 1-0 up. After this the game was only one way and Sonning kept pushing. With a few minutes left Colm finally got his goal with a clean strike from the top of D.

Sonning saw out the game and deserved the result overall. Ali kept his clean sheet so Pat’s early jibs were unfounded. Sonning to a man had great game, isn’t that right Lappin ?

Result 2-0 win

MoM – Andy Boseley Beasley

DoD – Colm ‘Miss 100% of the shots you don’t take’ Hanlon