Marlborough 1 Bath Buccs B 2
For the penultimate game of the season Marlborough welcomed Bath Buccs B who were top of the league table and knew that a victory would see them promoted as league champions. Marlborough themselves were holding on to the mathematical possibility that they could still get promoted provided many a result went their way.
The game began with both sides eager to impose themselves – so the opening few minutes turned out to be rather fractious with several miss traps, misplaced passes and frenetic running.
Marlborough looked as though they were in the ascendancy when Buccs pounced to open the scoring. A quick break away, a mazy dribble and a quick fire push under Marlborough’s onrushing goalkeeper put the visitors in a commanding position.
Marlborough responded by upping their effort and controlling the game but were unable to put away the chances presented to them. Heartened by their efforts Marlborough knew that a big second half performance was needed.
Both sides once again started in a cagey manner and soon the ball was going back and forth between the two sides. Marlborough then put the league leaders under serious pressure in search for an equalising goal. Buccs were penned in their own 25 for five continuous minutes as Marlborough’s press worked fantastically well – due to some tireless running by all of their forwards.
The equaliser followed shortly afterwards when a fast bit of play between Hamish Fyfe and Anil Sud, led to a quick strike form Sud which found the back of the net. Now that the game was finely poised Marlborough knew Buccs would be nervous about wrapping the league up and so could be exploited.
Both sides continued to press one another and several chances were created at both ends. The crucial moment of the game occurred when defensive veteran Chris Jones sportingly admitted to an infraction inside the D which led to a Bath short corner. After a scuffed shot, missed clearance attempt and a penalty spot stick melee, the ball somehow found itself in the Marlborough goal. So much for honesty!
Marlborough pressed as much as they could in the remaining minutes but the game ended 2-1. Marlborough graciously congratulated their opponents for a highly successful season, ending in Buccs’ confirmed promotion.
A special mention must go to Hamish Fyfe who was playing his final game for Marlborough before heading to Australia for several months.
The Marlborough News Online man of the match was Anil Sud.
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