Marlborough B (4) v Marlborough A (3)
November 3, 2007
Marlborough B were coming to this game on the back of a 7-0 mauling the week before, a fact, which only served to emphasise their underdog status. So with little to lose and a definite game plan in mind they set about their task with vigour and tenacity.
The opening exchanges saw both teams test the opponents defence, yet to the surprise of players and crowd alike it was Marlborough B who scored first. A well taken ball by returning Wayne Cranstone was slipped under the advancing keeper. Within minutes of this, a quick free hit from just inside the ‘A’ half saw Marlborough B’s Stephen Bishop angle the ball effortlessly past the ‘A’ keeper making it 2-0.
A clearly shaken A team ramped up their efforts and continued to press the Marlborough B defence and were rewarded with a number of short corners, and with a certain air of inevitability they soon scored from one of these. Marlborough B was not to be deterred, and in a game, which they always thought would be a victory to draw, had now revealed itself to be winnable if they maintained this newly found self belief.
Early in the second half Marlborough B had their first short corner, which captain Chris Caswell dragged to the right, before driving it into the goal.
The score remained at 3-1 for much of the half, with Marlborough A snatching back a goal through Andy Thomson, in open play to make it 3-2. However Marlborough B’s effective use of the counter attack again proved profitable when Wayne Cranstone got his second of the day and Marlborough B’s 4th.
In the final quarter Marlborough B were definitely tiring and had become entrenched in their own half. Despite some more good counter attacks they did not overstretch their formation and with a whiff of desperation defended tirelessly to the final whistle. Particular mention should go to Nick Gosling, who’s selfless defending enabled an embattled Marlborough B to gain three much needed points.