Brill 7 Marlow United Lions 1 (H/T 1-1)

Brill dominated possession in the first half but Marlow defended deep and well with tackles, blocks and saves galore on Brill efforts on goal. Despite our promptings from midfield, we could never quite put it together enough to score. Meanwhile Marlow occasionally posed a threat with breakaways, testing our relatively high back line with some good movement and through balls. This was how they managed to score part way in to the first half, when their striker was put through and was able to place the ball into the net beyond the advancing Henry.

Undeterred, Brill kept the pressure on and equalised towards the end of the half. Towards the end of the first half Ted was pushed off the ball just outside the box and and Gabe converted the free kick inside the left hand post. 1-1 at half time.

The second half was all Brill and their passing game came together. Soon after the restart, Harry scored a great individual goal by dribbling past Marlow defenders and beating the keeper. Shortly after, Gabe ran into the box near the byline from the right and was pulled back by his marker. A penalty was given and Gabe gave the keeper little chance with a powerful well placed kick.

Next, Gabe was put through in the inside right channel and blasted a shot that despite getting a hand to it, their keeper couldn’t stop flying into the net. Gabe’s hat-trick was complete with the score now at 4-1.

Marlow were struggling to find any rhythm and next came a delightful goal with a move from back to front. Arlo, under pressure, glanced up, saw Harry down the left wing and passed the ball to feet. Harry cut inside his marker and found Freddie in the middle, who turned and passed a super ball for Gabe to run onto from the right. Gabe skipped a challenge, ran to the byline, and found Ben unmarked in the centre who calmly side-footed the ball into the net. A great flowing move.

Ben then scored another two, each time with passes from Gabe, who was now torturing the left hand side of the Marlow defence, enabling Ben to get his hat-trick.

Everyone contributed and played their part, but star of the show and MOTM was Gabe with his hat-trick of goals and 3 assists.

You couldn’t have foreseen a 7-1 win at half-time. Despite the energy-sapping wet, long grass and some robust defending from Marlow, Brill’s football was a joy to watch. Well done boys.

What a magnificent performance from the boys yesterday at Marlow. The intensity they brought to the game was immense, and our passing and movement were outstanding. We went toe to toe with a very good Marlow team, and at half time were very unlucky to be 2-0 down, after we had created numerous chances, and Marlow only having two shots on goal. The second half (if not the first as well) I thought we were the better team and kept creating good chances whilst showing serious tenacity whilst out of possession. The boys deserved a goal, and got one via Gabe who went one on one with the keeper and blasted the ball past him in to the roof of the net. Good reward for a tireless display from the number 11, and no more than the whole team deserved. We couldn’t quite snatch an equaliser, but Toby and I are putting this down as a win. Freddie was man of the match for an all action, combative and skillful performance in the middle of the park, but well done to everyone involved. You were brilliant 🙌