Marlborough 10 Mid Somerset 4
With the league rankings starting to take shape Marlborough knew that nothing but a win against Mid Somerset – who are based in Wells – would be good enough to keep pace with the other teams at the top of the table.
The game began with both sides seeming somewhat off the pace with several passes being misplaced, first touches going awry and lacking in energy. Soon both sides had settled somewhat and chances were created at either end.
It looked like it would be a day for many goals – but in whose favour?
Marlborough started the goal rush when Anil Sud poked home Matt Way’s cross to give the home side the lead. This was short lived however when a mazy dribble from a Mid Somerset player brought parity to the game 1-1.
A rather bizarre 15 minute spell then followed in which both sides traded goals like they were going out of fashion. Sud scored his second and third of the day only for Mid Somerset to reply with two of their own to level at 3-3, Sud then scored his fourth of the half to leave Marlborough 4-3 up at half time.
Would the second half prove a more docile and mild mannered affair? Rather doubtful after yellow cards and disciplinary chats had been liberally sprinkled throughout the first half.
Knowing that they needed to up their game to cement a win, after the break Marlborough came out all guns blazing. Goal rush number two started when skipper Rich Holman fired in from a short corner routine.
Player-coach Matt Way then got in on the action with a deft, composed finish from close range and the game looked done and dusted when Gareth Playfair struck home shortly after.
Hard to keep up…..?
Will Radnedge then produced a moment of magic as he drove to a tight angle and flashed an excellent strike in to the far corner of the net. Unstoppable! Mid Somerset pulled a goal back shortly afterwards following persistent and industrious play, but the deficit was too great.
In the final few minutes of the game Sud added to his tally with a sweep home from close range and then picked up his sixth goal of the game with a short corner routine as the final play of the game.
It remains uncertain whether the Mid Somerset supporter who said at haf-time that it was one of the most entertaining matches he had seen for years, would have felt the same by full-time.
For the home team it was an excellent platform from which to build as several top of the table clashes are on the horizon…come on Marlborough!
The Marlborough News Online Man of the Match was Anil Sud.
