Marlborough 4 Mid Somerset 0
With four games left in the season and only an outside chance of promotion left, Marlborough knew that only a win would be good enough against Mid Somerset – with whom they had shared a rather disappointing 0-0 draw earlier in the season.
Mid Somerset started the game the brighter of the two sides, holding possession well and threading several dangerous balls through the Marlborough midfield and defence. Fortunately for the home side none of these chances were converted. However Marlborough suffered a set back when captain Rich Holman had to leave the pitch only minutes into the game due to injury.
Marlborough dug their heels in and soon set about creating chances and dominating play. This resulted in them taking the lead with a goal from newcomer Toby Sampson. The first half ended 1-0, Marlborough knowing this to be a dangerous situation following their previous slip up against Firebrands the previous week.
The second half began with Marlborough nullifying Mid Somerset’s attempts to clear the ball from their own half and the passes which had served them so well a the start of the game were no longer found.
A second Marlborough goal came through a bizarre set of circumstances when a crash ball was deflected or rather miss-trapped by striker Will Radnedge which the Somerset goalkeeper left well alone despite it being on target……
Looking on course for a victory Marlborough were made to work hard for 10 minutes after on-field captain Anil Sud received a yellow card in a contentious tackle. Marlborough weathered the period well and when numbers were equal again began to dominate further with Sampson scoring his second and Sud making some amends with a short corner strike for the fourth.
The game ended at 4-0, a crucial victory for the home side with only three games remaining.
The Marlborough News Online man of the match was Will Radnedge for his active and assertive contribution to Marlborough’s forward line.
