AFC Marlow went into last nights game against AFC Liberal with possible the strongest squad that manager James Mckechnie had been able to field all season. Jean Eric Talma was the only player to pull out of the match day squad and was replaced by Lewis Hunt, who was making his return to the side after picking up a knee injury. Billy Mason also returned to the squad.
AFC Marlow lined up in the same 4-2-3-1 formation that has proven to be one of our strongest formations this season. The first 10 minutes of the game can only be described as sloppy play from both teams. AFC Liberal nearly took the lead when Liberal's number 7, who was operating down the left wing, broke the offside trap only to see his shot dragged just wide of the far post. James Turner then broke the Liberal offside trap but failed to finish as his shot went just wide of the far post. The first half consisted of few chances for both sides. Both Paul Patterson & Dean Oxlade were both booked in the first half for late tackles. AFC Marlow finally took the lead when James Turner cut the ball back from the right hand side of the box to Lee Putnam, who after turning onto his weaker left-foot flashed his effort into the top corner, 1-0 Marlow with 7 minutes to go of the first half.
AFC Marlow came out for the second half in the same formation with changes planned for a change in formation. AFC Marlow then doubled their lead when Lee Putnam slide in and blocked a Liberal defender from clearing the ball, Lee then found space to square the ball across the box to Jake Saunders who smashed the ball into the back of the net to make it 2-0 Marlow. Jake Saunders then hobbled off and was replaced by Richard Vere, AFC Marlow then changed from a 4-2-3-1 formation to a 4-3-3 formation as we looked to kill the game off. With less than 10 minutes to play Michael Skeath fouled a Liberal attacked 20 yards from goal, Michael Butcher then scored the resulting free kick to make it 2-1. Marlow didn't crumble under the pressure brought to them by the Liberal team who had also changed to a 4-3-3 formation as they looked to draw back level. AFC Marlow did what most teams do best to waste time and looked to play the ball into both corner flags of the Liberal half. The matched finished at 2-1 to AFC Marlow which means we are now only 3 points off of being crowned champions of division 4 for the 2013/14 season.
Man of the match today was awarded to Joe Saunders for leading the team to victory and for putting his body on the line for the team for the whole 90 minutes. I would also like to add that every single player that played a part in yesterday win deserve a massive pat on the back as the whole team played their socks off and battled for the win.
Our next game is: Sunday 20th April 2014,
Against: Away vs Hithercroft Reserves,
Venue: Amersham Town Football Club,
Kick off: 10:30 AM.
