Marlborough vs West Wilts Marlborough lose 2-1
With a mathematical, if highly unlikely, chance of avoiding relegation, Marlborough welcomed local rivals West Wilts on a sunny and crisp Saturday afternoon. West Wilts were themselves desperate for points in their bid to stave off relegation.
The game began with West Wilts settling to the game quicker with some excellent ball retention and calm, patient play which led to several attacks which came up fruitless against some resolute Marlborough defending.
Marlborough worked their way into the game with several quick counter attacks down the right and left flanks which found West Wilts out of position having become complacent after their early dominance.
Soon the game resembled a traditional Marlborough match of high octane fuelled attacking and defending from both sides, an open enjoyable brand of hockey that was relished by both sides.
The first goal of the game was scored by Marlborough after a breakaway down the right hand side between Matt Osborne and Marlborough captain Rich Holman allowed Anil Sud to connect with a reverse stick strike from the top of the ‘D’.
Marlborough held firm to lead 1-0 at half time after Wilts failed to score from several short corners.
The second half began much the same as the first half had ended with both sides willing to play an open and attacking game. This led to several scoring chances for both sides, but the finishing touches seemed to have deserted both sets of strikers.
With eight minutes left in the match West Wilts broke their deadlock after Marlborough were caught napping from a quickly taken sideline play and the ball ended up bundled in from close range.
With both sides desperate for the win, the intensity was ratcheted even higher and with one minute remaining Marlborough were reduced to ten men for the third game running.
West Wilts were able to win a short corner and with the last play of the game scored the winner leaving Marlborough heartbroken and with relegation from the Davis Wood Hockey League’s Championship Division now a certainty. 
Despite his obvious disappointment, Captain Rich Holman reminded his players that the application and commitment they had shown was exemplary. He added that they would need this application and commitment more than ever in the remaining fixtures so they could end the season with pride.
