Club on the up, team going opposite way

Saturday 20 January 2024, Raynes Park Vale 1 Marlow 4 - Grand Drive, Isthmian League, South Central Division

Club always confident game would be on, and arrived to be made very welcome - a club on the up, even if after a good start to the season, the team is certainly not on the up!

Clubhouse full and an outside bar was also doing well, quality burgers, pitch slopes in a number of directions!

First 5 minutes was end to end at a frantic pace then Marlow took control, their two wingers destroyed the Vale defence every time they broke and they scored in the 10th, 13th and 21st minute. It looked like they would score every time they attacked, then from a corner Vale got a goal back in the 33rd minute.

Second half saw Vale dominate possession, but not really threaten the Marlow goal, the opponents seemed happy to sit back, defend well and not add to their own goal tally. Vale kept going till the end, but right on full time, Marlow added a 4th goal.

Impressed by the Ref, who was helped by two teams who hardly moaned and very little diving or the theatrics that you get at many games. 

Double game day, plenty of goals and a historic stand

Monday 29 August 2022, Hillingdon Borough 2 Brook House 3 - Combined Counties League, Division One, Middlesex Stadium - 11.30 am

Marlow 1 Sutton Common Rovers 2 - Isthmian League, South Central Division, Alfred Davis Memorial Ground - 3pm

Arrived early at Hillingdon, after an easy trip round M25 and found gate open and no one taking admission, told by visiting official that sometimes they do not bother! Had a good chat and was informed that an Indian lady owned the ground and the clubhouse was only open for wedding hire- also had a good chat about too many clubs in the area and the division having so many clubs sharing grounds.

Just before kick off the Indian lady came round taking our £5 admission and then her and her son set up a stall selling burgers and hot drinks.

For those who have not been to the Middlesex Stadium for a while this season they have reduced the size of the pitch , the old lines are still there but the width of the pitch has been drastically cut.

Football wise, Hillingdon were on top in the first half but a very young Brook House defended well, second half the visitors grew in confidence, got two quick goals and added a third from the penalty spot before Hillingdon got two goals back very late on. A good win for Brook House. then a short drive west to Marlow:

The ground is well worth a visit to just sit in the main stand or sit and have a drink in the bar under the stand.

Football wise, Marlow started the game in a play off position whilst Rovers were mid table, the first 20 minutes went with the form book as Marlow dominated but after failing to score they then struggled to make any clear chances, whilst Sutton Common Rovers took their limited chances and scored tow goals from headers.

Second half was much of the same, with Marlow having plenty of the ball but not making the visitors keeper work whilst Rovers made the home keeper work hard on the many chances they made often from a quick break. Marlow eventually got a goal back late on however Rovers held on to get the 3 points, a win they deserved however Marlow felt cheated as deep in injury time the Ref failed to give Marlow what was an obvious penalty.