Match Preview

Home v Marlow
Date
Monday 30th August
Competition
Zamaretto League Central Division
Ground
Chestnut Avenue, Northwood
Adults: £8.00        Concessions: £4.00    Under 16s: Free
Matchday Magazine: £2.00
 
 

Marlow have made a solid start to the Zameretto League Central Division this season, with two wins secured from their first three games as the Oak Tree Road outfit begin another season in a different division; a common feature of their recent history.

The close season saw some additions to the solid core of manager Kevin Stone’s squad, including goalkeeper Matthew Collis who joined from Holyport. Aaron Couch ensured the season got underway with a goal in the 1-0 win at Daventry Town, but a Leigh Mason goal was insufficient to prevent a 3-1 home defeat in the Buckinghamshire derby with Aylesbury. However, it was Couch who returned them to winning ways as he netted again in the 1-0 home victory against Soham Town Rangers.

Curiously, Marlow finished last season with identical home and away records in last season’s Division One Midlands, securing six wins and seven draws alongside the eight defeats conceded, and with a goal difference of just minus 1 to continue the symmetrical theme. This put them in a final position of 15th, but there was never any danger of becoming embroiled in the relegation struggle. Jermaine Roche, who remains at the club, was top scorer with 16 goals. Notably this included consecutive hat tricks in two away games in November, the 3-2 win at Woodford United and the 3-0 success at Atherstone United.

They failed to beat any of the top five sides, with champions Bury Town completing the double over them, but collected 1-1 home draws with play-off qualifiers Chesham United and Hitchin Town, as well as drawing at the other two top five sides, 2-2 at Burnham and 1-1 at Slough Town. Other highlights included an early season 6-1 home win over Soham Town Rangers, and the late season 4-0 home success against county rivals Aylesbury United. In the FA Cup, Ryman League Ilford were defeated 3-0 in the Preliminary Round at Oak Tree Road, before Marlow were eliminated by Ryman Premier side Hendon. The club also hosted the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup final, which saw Maidenhead United defeat Wycombe Wanderers 3-2 after extra time.

By Gerard Butler