Brotherly love as Michael's treble keeps Mark's team top (From Bucks Free Press)

Marlow end 2012 top of the tree

11:40am Monday 31st December 2012 in Sport By Alan Feldberg

MARLOW strengthened their grip on the Hellenic Premier League with a dramatic 5-4 victory over Highworth Town on Saturday thanks a hat-trick from the manager's brother.

Ian Davies and Ben Gladwin both netted with Michael Bartley, brother of Mark, adding three more.

Their 15th league victory from 20 games moves them up to 48 points, eight clear of second-placed Slimbridge and nine clear of Wantage in third.

Mark Bartley said: "If you offered me this at the beginning of the season I'd have taken it.

"Wantage are nine points behind with four games in hand, but we've got to play them twice so it's all in our hands.

"We've just got to maintain our focus and hope we're a bit lucky with injuries."

On Saturday they go to Holyport, who were beaten 3-2 by Flackwell Heath last weekend.