Hockey: Marlborough lose to West Wilts at Warminster by four goals

West Wilts vs Marlborough            Marlborough lose 6-2

Looking to get back on track after the previous week’s loss, Marlborough travelled to Warminster to face off against West Wilts.  Both teams were sitting towards the bottom of the league table with the winner of the game likely to be out of the relegation zone come the end of the day.

The game started brightly for Marlborough as they played the ball around with purpose and nullified Wilts’ attacking play down the middle of the pitch.  Marlborough were unlucky to find themselves one-nil down after a slight lapse in concentration allowed West Wilts to bag the opening goal following a close range shot in to the left hand corner.

The game continued with Marlborough breaking quickly down both flanks in an attempt to respond.  One such attack down the left led to captain Rich Holman squaring the ball to the unmarked John Bromley who powered his shot past the helpless goalkeeper into the bottom corner.  

Back on level terms Marlborough pressed further up the pitch leaving gaps which Wilts were soon to exploit with two lighting fast counter attacks finished by almost identical reverse stick strikes – putting the home side 3-1 up.  

With minutes to go before half time Marlborough pulled a goal back through their skipper following a short corner routine. Marlborough were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty flick following some questionable use of feet near the goal line. West Wilts were 3-2 up at half time.

The second half began with Wilts showing their dominance and excellence in possession which frustrated Marlborough in their bid to get back in to the game.  Marlborough found themselves with further arrears after Wilts scored again after a drag flick short corner routine and another with a quick break away after suckering Marlborough high up the pitch.

Marlborough pressed as hard as they could but were chasing the ball for large parts of the second half due to Wilts’ well devised tactics and execution.  The final goal of the game was scored by Wilts with only a couple of minutes to go making the final score 6-2 at the end of the game.