Marlow's men triumph as women push league leaders Cardiff in rare double header

Photographs courtesy of @gmwsportphoto

Marlow Men’s Callum White creates havoc in the Exeter defence

Marlow Women’s Lana Jones-Wallis being celebrating her goal against Cardiff

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There were mixed fortunes for Marlow’s men’s and women’s teams as they played in a rare double header at Pound Lane on Saturday.

The women’s team went toe-to-toe with table-topping Cardiff and Met but eventually succumbed to a 4-1 defeat, while the men had a different proposition in the form of bottom of the table Exeter University 2nds and managed to prevail 4-2.

For much of their game, Marlow’s women gave as good as they got against a team who’ll likely win this season’s National League Conference West title, while the men were thwarted for large spells by their dogged and resilient opponents but eventually showed their class to come through for a 4-2 victory.

Marlow’s women came into their game at home boosted by the mid-season addition of US player Caroline Andrew and were undaunted by the sprinkling of current Welsh internationals turning out for Cardiff.

The first quarter was even and goalless, while Marlow started the second quarter brightly. When Lottie Porter was taken to ground after slicing her way through the Cardiff midfield, the Reds took advantage of the green card that was brandished and took the lead through Lana Jones-Wallis. Kiera Allen caused havoc in the Welsh defence before crossing for Jones-Wallis to calmly slot home.

The home side were in no way flattered by their 1-0 half-time lead and looked capable of inflicting only a second league loss on the leaders this season. But the wind was taken from their sales by two quickfire Cardiff goals in the third quarter. Neither was without controversy, with the home side debating furiously with the umpire as the visitors turned the game on its head.

Enraged by their decisions, Marlow pressed hard for an equaliser in the final quarter but the final scoreline was given an extremely harsh complexion by two cruel breakaway goals in the final minutes.

Cardiff travelled back across the Seven Bridge with all three points and a 4-1 win, but they were more than flattered by the scoreline.

The result drops the Reds to eighth in the table and is their third straight loss in the league. They’re back in action at sixth placed Exeter 1sts on Saturday, February 21.

Marlow’s men took to the field at Pound Lane looking to cement their place in the top three of the EHL West Conference against a young and determined Exeter University.

The Reds came out of the blocks fast and created several chances, but none were taken and the first period finished goalless.

They put that right in the second period when Matt Law picked up the loose ball and slammed home. The students though competed well through to half-time and Marlow only managed to extend their advantage in the third quarter when Tom McKinlay slotted home from a penalty corner. That lead was extended to three goals by the end of the third quarter before Exeter grabbed a deserved consolation in the final period. Marlow restored their cushion with a second goal from the rampant Matt Law before Exeter rounded off the scoring late on.

Marlow sit third in the table, six points behind leaders Clifton Robinsons and two ahead of fourth placed Ashmoor ahead of their next game at home to second placed Chichester on Sunday, February 22.