Marlow back to winning ways (From Bucks Free Press)

League leaders back in the groove

9:08am Monday 29th October 2012 in Sport

MARLOW got back to winning ways as Ian Davies grabbed a late goal to beat Wokingham and Emmbrook 2-1 at the weekend.

The striker has been out of the side for a while, writes Goold Knibbs, but marked his return with his 17th of the campaign.

After dropping points in their last three league games, the Blues will be happy to secure the win and move themselves 3 points clear of second place Slimbridge - who is in hot pursuit.

This was the second time that the home side had faced Wokingham and Emmbrook in less than two weeks, the last time was a hard fought victory with the Blues running out 1-0, and the visitors were out for revenge almost derailing Marlow’s league position.

Mark Bartley’s side started the brightest and opened the scoring two minutes in, but a goal from Jack Gibbs brought the game level in the first-half.

After squandering chances and the game appearing to be heading for a draw, one last attacked proved enough as Davies poked in the winner.

Compared to the start of the season, goals have been hard to come by in recent weeks. However, Marlow Fans can be forgiven for thinking those days were behind them.

After two minutes, Marcus Mealing was gifted with a simple tap-in after Jamie Piercy drilled it across the face of the goal. Sadly, looks can be deceiving.

When Captain Danny Lingwood was fouled in Wokingham’s box ten minutes later, fans may have thought they were in for a treat.

Ben Gladwin stepped up for the penalty and fired it low to the right but was denied by Goal-Keeper Gary Aulsberry, as he parried it wide.

Bartley’s Blues were the dominate team early on and the Satsumas looked as if they were already beaten before they got started.

The Buckinghamshire outfit had a host of chances but failed to make them count. On the stroke of half-time, they paid for not being decisive in front of goal.

Gibbs slipped past the defence and only had to the keeper to beat. As Jorden Eggleton began to rush out to close down space, Gibbs rocketed his shot past the keeper and into the back of the net to bring the game level.

The start of the second-half brought the rain and plenty more chances for the hosts. Gladwin flung in a deep free-kick that Aulsberry tipped over.

Mealing looked lively down the left and has he went past three to worm his way into the box, he squared it back for Piercy who volleyed it straight at the goalie.

Wokingham began to get a grip on the game, and on the 72nd minute almost pulled ahead. Luke Lee put the ball agonizingly wide for the visitors.

The opposition applied the pressure. Substitute Khalid Senossi blasted the ball over from inside the box as the Blues defence failed to clear their lines.

However, it was Davies who put his side on top. Nathan Ashton charged down the wing and flung a cross in for the striker to bundle across the goal line before the full-time whistle.