Match Report: Basingstoke Town 2 – 2 Marlow FC – Thursday 26th December 2024

Southern League Premier South – Thursday 26th December 2024
Basingstoke Town 2 vs 2 Marlow FC Attendance 521
Where: Winklebury Centre, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke. RG23 8BF
Manager Dan Brownlie’s line-up for this Boxing Day game was: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster, 3. James Clark, 4. Rudy Allen, 5. Jack Ball, 6. Billy Upton (Capt), 7. Brody Peart, 8. D’Andre Brown, 9. Nnamdi Nwachuku, 10. Liam Ferdinand, 11. Robbie Gallagher,
On the bench: 12. Aleks Kokoszka , 14. Luis Le Paih, 15. Daniel Warre, 16. Ben Cook & 17. Curtis Angell
Referee – Will Briers

This Boxing Day game got underway, with what seemed a very sparse crowd and the first attack was after good work by Nnamdi Nwachuku, who beat his defender and sent over a cross that Marlow’s defence were first to and cleared.
Minutes later a Marlow forward broke clear, but his shot smashed into the side-netting.

Stoke then took the lead after Robbie Gallagher was fouled just outside the box. The kick by Brody Peart beat the wall, and was fumbled into his own net by ex-Stokie keeper Aaron Watkins. GOAL! Basingstoke Town 1 – 0 Marlow FC (Peart 14 mins)

The game continued with neither side able to create anything of note, with both sides struggling as passes went astray, as we went past the half-hour mark.

Marlow, then missed a golden chance to level the score, as Jack Ball was robbed of the ball on the edge of our penalty area, and the Marlow forward sent the ball across the face of the goal, where his team-mate was waiting to slot home, only for Rudy Allen to get back and flick the ball away, which Simon Grant was able to gather.
The visitors continued to press forward, but two shots were both poor and never troubled Grant in goal.

With four minutes to the break Clark started a move that sent Peart down the right wing, but his cross was hit very hard, which Nwachuku could not direct his header on target.
The referee allowed two minutes of added-time, before we went into the break with the one-goal lead.

Halftime Score: Basingstoke Town 1 vs 0 Marlow FC
With Stoke attacking the railway end, it was Marlow who struck back, after being awarded a penalty in the opening minute of the second-half which was put away after a short delay. Basingstoke 1-1 Marlow

The level of entertainment did not improve, although a Marlow shot hit the crossbar and bounced clear.

Stoke were then forced into its first change on the hour-mark, as Billy Upton was unable to continue and was replaced by Curtis Angell.
Stoke pushed forward over the next few minutes with calls for two penalties waived away, and then made two further changes, as Brody Peart was replaced by Dan Warre, and Nnamdi Nwachuku replaced by Ben Cook (65 mins).
Still nothing to note apart from Angell’s appearance only lasted eight minutes, as he had to be replaced by Aleks Kokoszka (73 mins).

Then out the blue we are awarded a penalty as the ball bounces off a Marlow defenders arm, but Liam Ferdinands penalty was poor and it hit the keeper’s leg and the ball was cleared.
Stoke then made their fifth change as Luis Le Paih replaced Rudy Allen (80 mins).

Le Paih’s insertion into the game reaped reward, as he clipped a stunning pass to Gallagher who broke into the penalty area and appeared to be dragged down, and Stoke were awarded a second-penalty which James Clark took this time and made no mistake GOAL!! Basingstoke Town 2 – 1 Marlow FC (Clark 83 mins Pen)

Stoke were then punished for its poor possession as a Marlow forward smashed a shot that Grant could only get his fingertips too, but was unable to stop it finding the net. Basingstoke 2-2 Marlow
Marlow then broke again, but a timely interception at the back, kept the game level.

Now in the second of four added-minutes, Gallagher broke clear, and sent the ball across to Warre, who neatly controlled and hit a half-volley that flew off the inside of the right-hand post and away.
The referee then blew the final whistle on what was a drab affair, and Marlow left Winklebury with a point.

Full-time Score: Basingstoke Town 2 vs 2 Marlow FC
Peart 14 mins, Clark 83 mins (Pen)                Harper 48 mins, Smith 88 mins

Match Thought’s
Well that was certainly not a Boxing Day feast, as the game was scrappy despite even with us being awarded two second-half penalties. Two points dropped against a very average Marlow side who sit bottom of the table for a reason. More worryingly are the possible injuries to Billy Upton & Curtis Angell.
Up Next:
Well we are back on the road for our next two games starting in two days-time (Saturday’s 28th) against a very strong Dorchester Town side.

Match Report by Martin French..