Hockey: defeat for Marlborough men seals league relegation

Marlborough   0    City of Bath   5                    

After a hugely disappointing defeat the previous week away at Bridgend, Marlborough welcomed top of the league City of Bath who were yet to drop any points at all during the course of the season.  

Nothing but a win would leave Marlborough with any hope of staying in the league and even then other results would need to fall favourably for the great escape to materialise.

City started the game in dominant fashion with their passing crisp and showing energy all over the pitch.   Marlborough combated this well and were in the game until City were awarded a short corner.  

Alarm bells rang as this was how City had scored the majority of their goals during the season and soon enough they were one-nil up following a drag flick.  The score was shortly doubled in exactly the same manner and the first half ended two-nil up to the visitors.

Marlborough came out of the traps firing in the second half knowing that they had to score to have any hope of staying up. 

Unfortunately their discipline let them down once more as they were reduced to 10 men for sin bin offences on two separate occasions.

City made Marlborough work extra hard during these periods and soon found themselves further ahead after a smart deflection and yet another drag flick.

Four-nil down and looking out Marlborough could have wilted.  But they kept their energy up and spirits high and continued fighting and grinding.  

Bath scored again late in the game to finish five-nil – a deserved win for the superior side.

Despite the disappointment of being relegated, captain Rich Holman graciously thanked the Marlborough team for their efforts during the year, but also reminded them that the season was not finished and the final game against West Wilts would be an excellent way to set down a marker for next year.

THWhite Man of Match:  Jonty Moore.