Marlborough vs Exeter University C – Marlborough win 3-2
After securing a third place finish in their league division the previous week, Marlborough went in to the last game of the season (Saturday, March 24) in high spirits determined to finish of a positive note against second placed Exeter University C. The game itself started slowly as both teams took their time to adjust to the heat and the slowness of the playing surface with several passes not finding their intended recipient.
After the initial cagey exchanges, the game developed into a much more open affair and soon both teams were enjoying themselves with some fast flowing, attractive, attacking play which produced several near misses for both sides. Marlborough opened the scoring after some excellent linked up forward play from Matt Osbourne and Rich Holman led to Ed Gosling effortlessly dribbling around the keeper to slot home into an empty net.
Exeter Uni replied almost immediately levelling with some sharp work of their own. Then youngster Harry Tawney scored his first goal for the Marlborough first team giving the home team a 2-1 lead at half time.
The second half continued in a similar vein as both teams poured men forward with attacking intent but were somewhat neutralised by their defensive counterparts. It wasn’t until midway through the second half when a terrific solo run and successful finish from Gosling looked certain to have given Marlborough an unassailable lead.
The energy levels of both teams visibly dropped in the scorching heat, but Exeter dug deep and again pulled themselves back into the game with five minutes to go. Marlborough saw out the game with some excellent ball retention to frustrate their opponents – suitably capping off an excellent, controlled performance.
With the league finished for the year and gaining a highly respectable third place, Marlborough Captain Richard Holman expressed his pride at how the team had conducted themselves and the endeavour which they had displayed both at training and during the games. September cannot come soon enough!
