Thames Valley Premier League

Premier Division

Monday 7th June 2021

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.29

Marlow United 1 Finchampstead 3, attendance 55

9’ 0-1

14’ 0-2

32’ 0-3 (pen)

90’+ 6, 1-3

@ Gossmore Recreation Ground

Gossmore Lane

Marlow

SL7 1QF

No Admission or Programme.

Marlow United have returned to their ground here in Gossmore Lane, following a number of years away whilst flood defence work was carried out here. During that time they have played at Marlow F.C. and they also had a season at Loudwater Sports Club, where I saw them beat Wokingham & Emmbrook Reserves 5-1 on 23rd August 2017. Although the pitch here was nice and flat, the grass hadn’t been cut for weeks and it is probably the longest grass I have seen a game played on, and that includes pitches used in various Summer Leagues, which are as bad as it gets. Apparently the council had failed to turn up today to cut it. They still have two more home games scheduled here, so the pitch will certainly need cutting before that.

Finchampstead came here as league leaders, in a three way fight for the title with Berks County and Burghfield. Marlow United are third from bottom, but can’t finish any lower than this. I had seen the reverse fixture back in May, which Finchampstead won 4-1, where Marlow United battled well, but never looked like getting anything from the match. It was the same story tonight, as Finchampstead were 0-2 up inside fifteen minutes, before a twice taken penalty (the ‘keeper saved the first, but was off his line) just after the half hour mark saw the game made safe at 0-3. Marlow United managed a consolation goal with the last kick of the match.

Berks County also won tonight, but the title is getting nearer for Finchampstead, who are on 55 points (+ 29 goal difference) with three to play, followed by Berks County on 52 points (+ 29 GD) with two to play, with Burghfield in third place on 47 points (+ 18 GD) with 3 games left.