Mid Somerset 2 Marlborough 4
Getting back to winning ways last week gave Marlborough renewed hope of sneaking their way back into the promotion level of the league table.
This week, Marlborough men’s first team faced a tricky game away at Mid Somerset (February 6.) The game started brightly for the away side, which is more than can say for the weather.
Marlborough played the first half into horizontal rain and that was not conducive to hockey however good or not so good. Nevertheless, Marlborough created a number of chances but couldn’t quite put the ball away.
It was nil all at half time and it had not been not the prettiest of games so far.
In the second half, with the wind behind them and knowing that the first goal was key, Marlborough broke the deadlock with a neat finish from in-form Will Hughes who deflected the ball home after good build up play.
Tails up and playing well, Marlborough struck again, this time Matt Way scored a sumptuous reverse stick strike leaving the keeper with no chance.
Would 2-0 up put game out of sight? Not quite. Just as the away side went to sleep, Mid Somerset scored a break away goal to make the game interesting.
That goal woke Marlborough back up and Rhys Davies was on hand to finish well to make the scoreline a bit more comfortable at 3-1.
Then came the goal of the season so far: after working the ball out of defence well, the ball reached new recruit Rich Fynn on the wing who cut inside and fed the ball to Matt Way, who made a clever high lead to the bye line. His first time pass was deflected in by Hughes, a superb team goal and quick counter attacking play.
It was 4-1 to Marlborough and it looked as though it was game over. To their credit Mid Somerset never gave up and scored a consolation goal right on the final whistle to make the final score 4-2.
This put the team into third place in the Central One league table – a promotion spot. But Old Bristolians are six points behind them with two games in hand.
It was a comfortable win for Marlborough and Will Radnedge got a special mention on two counts: first for trying to throw his stick over the fence and secondly for his Marlborough News Online man of the match performance.
NOTE: Marlborough Ladies first team game against Swindon was called off as the pitch was underwater.
