Clash of the Titans...

Vales Under 16's had a weekend off this week, the Under 15's had anything but..! If I've used the term 'Epic' before to describe any of the matches I've reported on... I was lying..!
This was a highly charged... erm... epic!!


Under 15’s – Division 3

Marlow Royals 1 – Aylesbury Vale 0


A classic ‘top of the table’ tussle was played yesterday, (Sunday) away at Marlow.
The home team piled the pressure on for the first 10 minutes, with Vale hardly putting a foot outside their own half. Even though their presence was significant, only the one cross from the right corner onto approaching Lawrence Griffith, which was headed just over the bar, gave any real scare. . Vale took some 15 minutes to get into their stride and turn the pressure back at The Royals. By halfway through the period & with both sides playing on equal terms, Marlow got a break on the right; crossed in from the corner and volleyed at goal. Vale keeper, Gary Bidgway, managed to palm the ball away for a corner that was cleared to end the threat. Vale had a similar chance, 3 minutes before the break, when Durrelle Palmer received the ball & ran the right wing; crossing it in to Luca Forchione, who’s turn in to position gave keeper, Ben Luttermann, a vital second to move forward & block the shot. A corner awarded to Vale a minute later was delivered by Pat Hurst and despite the melee in the box was cleared off the line but turned back in by Forchione; Luttermann managed to stretch out on top of the loose ball & hold the game at nil-nil.
The second half re-opened as the first half had closed, a battle for a break in midfield and the visitors got the advantage. A through the centre ball to Chris Hawes who made the run & in turn despatched it at goal, leaving Ben Luttermann scrambling to retrieve it. Marlow had an opportunity wasted 10 minutes into the second half. A free kick delivered from outside left of the 18yd box, although on target for the far post, was easily plucked out of the air by Gary Bidgway. The game started to run out of pace through the middle of the period, with both sides having given their all through the preceding 60 minutes. However, neither side crumbled and possession was still equal. With the last 5 minutes ticking away, Marlow found some reserve pace; an almost clear run along the right wing for Lawrence Griffith until ‘the exocet’ James Marsh caught and dispossessed him for a throw-in. The ball made its way back towards the centre circle & The Royals had to start their efforts again. Marlow stole a last minute goal when Benn Hegerty made a run on the left & managed to out-pace right-back Chris Pope. Almost trapped at the end of the pitch he made a plucky cross at goal that whistled past the out-stretched Bidgway to secure the game for the home team.


The Under 16's return next week at home against Gerrards Cross & Fulmer. The 15's are playing the Referees Cup semi-final against Division 2 side Aylesbury Town (not to be confused with Div 3 Aylesbury Town Youth).
Hopefully I can get to both matches & bring them to you next week.