Marlborough 1st XI (2) v Taunton Vale (9)

February 9, 2008

Marlborough travelled to Somerset with a little bit more confidence than usual, as Taunton are one of the few teams that Marlborough have taken points from this season. Unfortunately, at the final whistle, the score line proved to be no different to the rest of the season.

The first half was excellent for the away side, who controlled the park, with much of the possession. Ed Gosling and Mike Smith doing tireless work in midfield. The game turned for the worse when Steve Way was sin-binned for continued verbal abuse directed to the umpire, despite having been warned on several occasions. Marlborough conceded an unlucky goal, quickly followed by another, and were merely hanging on. Marlborough hit the post halfway through the half, after good work from Josh Petty, who picked up the ball from his own ‘D’ and ran most of the length of the pitch. This bad luck meant Marlborough started the second half 2-0 down.

As the fine score line suggests, the second half was completely different. Marlborough lacked composure on the ball and continued to lose possesion in key areas, leaving the defence to cope with several counter attacks, with little or no chance of twarting the onslaught.

Marlborough did however score 2 goals late on, with Dave Webster firing the ball into the top left corner of the goal and Steve Way's shot merely dribbling over the line as his topped shot, completely deceived the keeper.