Marlborough vs Firebrands A Firebrands A win 3-1
After two draws to start the season Marlborough welcomed Firebrands A from Bristol for the first home league game on the newly laid College pitch. The feeling within the Marlborough camp was one of optimism and determination knowing full well that Brands would provide the sternest test to date.
Marlborough started the brighter of the two sides with some precision passes and fantastic leading runs being made by the defence and forwards respectively.
However, completely against the run of play, Brands took the lead which left the throngs of Marlborough supporters stunned to silence.
Fearing the worst their encouraging shouts lifted Marlborough’s spirits and within only a couple of minutes the scores were level. A pinpoint pass from midfield maestro Dan Crossman found Charley Horley whose lighting fast turn left the Brands centre back floundering. He followed up with a precision reverse stick strike under the onrushing keeper.
The second half began with both sides looking dangerous as they attacked, but Brands just seemed to have the edge in almost all areas of the pitch.
Mid-way through the half they deservedly took the lead surprisingly in a somewhat fortuitous fashion. After a ‘hit-and-hope’ ball into the D took a wicked deflection and ended up in the back of the net – the source of this touch remains unknown.
Knowing they were running out of time Marlborough pressed as much as they could and were mere inches away from setting up several goal scoring chances.
Unfortunately for the home side the game was put beyond their reach five minutes before full time when a breakaway Brands move resulted in their third goal of the game despite the best efforts of Marlborough keeper Brian Marnane.
The game ended 3-1 with Marlborough desperately disappointed but knowing a lesson had been learned as to the levels needed to compete in the league.