Marlow - Away

Oxford Quarry Nomads 2-2 Marlow United
Nomads were at home for the second weekend in succession and took on league newcomers Marlow United in front of a disappointingly sparse crowd and came away with their first league draw of the season.

Though Nomads’ No3 did go close from a curling cross from Aaron Williams, Marlow had the majority of the early play and went ahead after 20 minutes when a defensive lapse left their No.10 with plenty of time and space to fire them ahead via Barisic’s right-hand post. Indeed the visitors should have put the game beyond doubt before half and hour had passed, but No8 fired across Barisic and outside the far post; and No11 squandered an even better chance when free in front of goal but placed the ball past the post. Nomads’ youngsters were playing some neat football but, for much of the time, were failing to penetrate the Marlow defence until a crisp move saw Williams release No3 whose low cross was side-footed home by No9 after 39 minutes. The visitors pressed forward again and No8 saw Barisic dive low to his left to keep out a goal-bound shot just before the break.

HALF-TIME: OQN 1-1 Marlow United

The visitors came out for the second period and immediately took the game to the Nomads. Time after time, it seemed, with Nomads defending very high, the Marlow attackers were released for a run in on goal, and for twenty minutes or so it was only a combination of good saves from Milan Barisic; timely last-ditch tackles from Hall, Masawi, who had a very steady game, and Sackey; mis-hit shots; stubborn resistance from the Nomads’ woodwork and some good, old-fashioned slices of luck that kept this match from turning into a rout. Just when it looked as though the home side had ridden this rough patch Aaron Hall was very unfortunate to be penalised for an innocuous challenge in the area, but, to sighs of relief, Marlow’s No5 beat Barisic’s left hand with his spot-kick but the post again came to Nomads’ aid. And, as often seems to happen when one side is getting all the chances, the blue shirts promptly broke to the other end and a cross was spilled by the Marlow keeper and Ben Louther was on hand to give Nomads an unlikely lead on 80 minutes. Two minutes later and John Webb came very close to stretching the advantage when his curling shot passed close to the angle of post and bar.
With three minutes left on the clock, and Nomads trying hard to repulse a final flurry from Marlow, an in-swinging corner dropped near the penalty spot and Marlow’s No5 reacted the quickest to hit home the equaliser via the underside of the bar.

FULL-TIME: Oxford Quarry Nomads 2-2 Marlow United

Many apologies again for any errors concerning players’ names and for the impersonal use of numbers, but there were several Nomads who were not as listed on the programme!

Reporter: ChrisB