Southern League Premier South – Easter Monday 21st April 2025
Marlow 1 v 4 Basingstoke Town Attendance 389
Where: Alfred David Ground, Oak Tree Road, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 3ED
With a must win game, Manager Dan Brownlie went with a line-up of: 1. Simon Grant, 2. Markus Johnson-Schuster, 3. Lewis Colwell, 4. Jack Ball, 5. James Clark, 6. Joshua Green, 7. Jaden Brissett, 8. Malachi Ogunleye, 9.Liam Ferdinand, 10. Ben Cook, 11. George Reid
On the bench: 12. Robbie Gallagher, 14. Billy Upton, 15. Connor Barratt, 16. D’Andre Brown & 17. James Dickson
Referee – Jack Oxenham
In a must win for Basingstoke, the game got underway with Stoke attacking uphill looking to dominate the game, and it was noticeable that Stoke’s midfield was trying to find winger George Reid at every possible chance, and Reid was clean through on six minutes, but with the ball bouncing on the bumpy surface, Reid’s right-foot shot, hit the bottom of the left-hand post and the chance slipped away.
A minute later the Marlow’s D’Aversa, goes in the book for a rash challenge on a Stoke player on the halfway line.
Reid was the creator of the next attack, as he set-up John Green, but his shot was deflected away for a corner on the right.
Stoke looked to have taken the lead as Reid found Liam Ferdinand, who finds the back of the net, but the game was called back for an offside decision on Reid.
The game continued with Stoke now using Lewis Colwell on the right, ‘who combined well with Ben Cook and Liam Ferdinand, but the cross is headed clear.
The game continued at a frenetic pace, and Stoke finally made the breakthrough, after another passing movement saw Colwell hacked down inside the box, and two minutes later, the reliable James Clark sent the Marlow keeper the wrong way. Marlow 0 – 1 Basingstoke Town (Clark 17 min pen)
However whilst the large Stoke contingent are still celebrating their goal, Marlow levelled after they put home on the rebound after Simon Grant could only parry the powerful shot. Marlow 1-1 Basingstoke
Stoke pushed continued to push forward, and the next few minutes saw two more Marlow players, the second a heavy tackle on Colwell, just outside the box, saw Marlow’s D’Aversa, receive his second yellow card and his marching orders.
Stoke continued to press, but Marlow by hook and crook were holding us at bay, but another Stoke corner from the right, saw us take the lead just before the break, as Clark beat his defender, and is header flew into the roof of the net Marlow 1 – 2 Basingstoke Town (Clark 42 mins)
Stoke looked to add a third, but Marlow held out and we went into the break with that vital goal lead.
Half-time Score: Marlow 1 v 2 Basingstoke Town
Stoke opened the second-half back on top, and our first attack of note, was Jaden Brissett, who cut inside from the right, but his left foot shot flew two yards over the bar.
Further good work Josh Green who set Colwell down the right, but his dangerous cross was knocked out for a corner.
Malachi Ogunleye, Josh Green & Ben Cook were now starting to dominate the midfield, as the extra player started to take effect.
Marlow have a little possession in our final third, but Grant is upto to punch the ball clear from a long throw-in.
Ex-Stokie Stefan Brown came on for Marlow.
Stoke made their first change of the day, as Jaden Brissett was replaced by Robbie Gallagher (64 mins).
Stoke then missed a golden chance to double their lead, after a neat one-two, allowed Ogunleye time and space to shoot, but he drags his shot wide of the left-hand post.
Stoke then finally got the goal, and it’s Gallagher’s first goal of the season, as another neat move allowed him to fanatically finish in the corner of the net Marlow 1 – 3 Basingstoke Town (Gallagher 68 mins)
Ferdinand then had a chance to make it four, but his shot rolled wide.
Stoke then made two further changes, as Ben Cook was replaced by D’Andre Brown, and Josh Green was replaced by James Dickson (74 mins).
Gallagher and Colwell were combining well down the right, but Marlow’s pitch brough a halt to the move, as the ball bounced high, allowing the Marlow defender to clear. The referee who had allowed the game to flow, then somehow allowed the game to continue as two heavy tackles saw the game stopped on a third tackle, and two further Marlow players went in the book.
Stoke then made it’s fourth change as Lewis Colwell was replaced by Billy Upton (80 mins).
Marlow then had a shot, but it flew over the bar and out the ground.
Stoke then made it’s fifth and final change with George Reid replaced by Connor Barratt (86 mins).
We’re now in added-time, and we finally found our fourth, as Connor Barratt found the back of the net from a free-kick on the right. Marlow 1 – 4 Basingstoke Town (Barratt 93 mins)
A minute later the referee had seen enough and Stoke with a superb performance are finally back to winning ways.
Full-time Score: Marlow 1 v 4 Basingstoke Town
Nawaf 20 mins Clark 17 min Pen, & 42 mins, Gallagher 68 mins, Barratt 93 mins,
Match Thought’s
I do sometimes mention it was a team effort, but yesterday was that, as players dominated various parts of the game. George Reid looked unstoppable for 25 mins, with Ben Cook winning a number of headers in midfield, Lewis Colwell was superb in his new right-wing back role, whilst James Clark’s brace was crucial to our victory. The two midfield youngsters again prove that height does not matter, when you have pace and natural ability. Robbie Gallagher’s first goal of the season, won the biggest cheer of the day. The defence was strong throughout the game, although Marlow were a poor opposition.
The win alongwith other results that went in our favour, give us real hope, with a defeat of Merthyr on Saturday ensuring our safety.
A great day and once again great support.
Up Next:
We host League Champions Merthyr Town this coming Saturday in the last game of the season. (April 26th) KO 3pm.
Match Report by Martin French..
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