Match Preview - Marlow

Tiverton Town v Marlow  

Saturday 26th April, 3pm Kick Off 

The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium 

So here we are, with just one more match to play. The only bit of our destiny that we can control is by delivering victory, the rest is very much out of our hands. 

Our result can contribute to the fate of five other teams; Swindon Supermarine, Winchester, Basingstoke, Poole and Bracknell. In order for us to stay up, two of these scenarios need to happen, if we achieve a win against Marlow; 

• Supermarine fail to win away at play off secure Walton & Hersham. 

• Winchester fail to win at home to Taunton.

• Basingstoke fail to win at home to league champions Merthyr. 

• Poole lose at home to Chertsey, who at the start of play still need a point to be sure of safety. 

• Bracknell lose away at Sholing. 

Everything is still very much in the the balance and taking into consideration all the permutations it really is too close to call. For the first time in what seems like forever, according to the league table we are expected to win and that is something that cannot be taken for granted. 

Marlow beat us in the reverse fixture and can play with total freedom. Although their results of late suggest that we should win; no one has a divine right to and in this league, you only have to be slightly off it and you will get punished. 

We are fresh from a deserved point at our long-term rivals Taunton, and Tiverton could perhaps have laid more claim to victory than the Peacocks. The levels of performance not just in that game, but also in a significant majority of the games since Asa Hall and Steve Orchard took over, will need to be maintained in Saturdays finale. We need one more push, when Matt Britton leads the side out. 

Having to contend with the injury of Joe Duncan and Jeff Forkuo falling ill ahead of the Taunton game, couldn’t disrupt the spirit in the camp and when thrown into an often-intimidating cauldron of fire at Wordsworth Drive, Will Howard, Gabe Billington and the team emerged unruffled. 

The management duo will be hoping to have Jeff Forkuo available at the weekend. But it’s important to realise that we don’t have the biggest squad in the division and to reach the final day of the season with a fighting chance, is a huge compliment to our coaching team, for that reason too. 

Marlow, who were promoted into the Southern League Premier South for this campaign have had a tough baptism of fire and have struggled to pull away from the foot of the table for most of it. Much respected manager Mark Bartley has remained in the hotseat, during a difficult campaign. 

Pacy winger Naheer Nawaf who briefly departed for Bracknell in the 23/24 season, has returned to the Blues this term and much like he did then, has once again provided a definite goal threat. Despite their lowly League position, he has an impressive 10 goals and has been receiving rave reviews. Nawaf scooped both Supporter’s Player of the Season and Players Player awards. 

Mo Jallow arrived at the club as a full back/wingback and has since developed into a strong running, combative midfielder. The young player previously spent time at Dulwich Hamlet and Hartley Wintney. He is another to shine in tough circumstances and is the Managers Player of the Season. 

Utility man and captain Chris Ovenden has a long-playing association with The Blues’, and in March made his 450th appearance for the club. A right back or a midfielder, the fan favourite has also appeared for Hartley Wintney. 

Elijah Oladunjoye is a promising wide defender, with good technical ability. An injury hit first season at the club hampered his progress. Although in the 23/24 season he established himself as a regular in the Marlow Team and he has once again been a mainstay this term. He has a notable long throw. 

Midfielder Harry Hoath has been a key component of Mark Bartley’s side and has featured heavily in his line up’s. Coming through the ranks at Maidenhead, the talented Hoath, was previously at Uxbridge and has also played for Thatcham Town. 

Current Blues’ keeper Harrison Rhone is on loan from League One Reading and the highly rated gloveman has shown good ability, since joining in January. 

With the pressure off, long standing manager Mark Bartley’s young team cannot be written off or underestimated. 

It’s ‘Pay What You Want’, on Saturday and although we arrive at The Slee Blackwell Stadium with our plight unknown, the recent superb support is an acknowledgement of how well we’ve played in adversity.  

We will know our fate very soon, but we also know that this has been a magnificent start to Asa Hall and Steve Orchard’s managerial career with the Yellows and whatever the outcome, the future looks bright at the club. 

So, for one last time, let’s give the lad’s all we’ve got, in getting behind them !