Cookham Dean FC 7
Marlow FC 0

This morning’s cup game found the pitch thawing fast from the -2Degree start to the day; with the bright sun apparently softening the pitch ready for a bitingly cold 10:30 kick off against an eager looking bunch of sizeable opposition.

The Marlow club was formed in November 1870, and was a major force in Victorian football. Since its inception, Marlow is the only team to have entered the FA Cup in every season bar one (their application in 1910 arrived one day too late at the FA to be accepted).

Cuthbert Ottaway, the first captain of England played for "The Blues" at the beginning of their history, but had long long ago retired by the time the game kicked off today; with a hungry looking bunch of blue shirts thrusting into the Cookham area with some physical play. Cookham challenged confidently as Marlow chased down every ball, leaving our lads with no time to think. This opening salvo of Blue shirts promised an intense and competitive match with every possibility of some early goals.

Interestingly within just a few moments the defence snatched back the initiative, with Ollie intercepting and knocking on to Greg, who in turn ran and passed to Miles, across to Paul, up to Mikey and then into the middle with Louie and Luke suddenly knitting together some seamless teamwork with lovely silky skills and uncompromising football to bounce back and threaten the Marlow goalmouth.

Moments later Marlow conceded a corner, with the ball sailing into the middle and bouncing out, Luke was on it firing home with the left foot for the first goal of the game in the first few minutes of play.

Marlow came out hard shocked by the early setback, but Cookham weren’t intimidated by the aggressive and physical play. One or two of the big Marlow lads pushing hard, but Mikey was composed in the middle against some tight strong play, winning possession, slipping the ball skilfully to Louis (who was dipping and dancing in the middle like a Brazilian) and passed to Luke, who once again nailed it for our second.

Marlow were clearly still off balance by the setbacks in quick succession, but once again came out eagerly. By now Cookham were relaxed with a leading cushion; still within 10 minutes or so of the start and again some silky soccer skills moved Tom Banks into a shooting position and without further invitation he fired the ball for a searing shot that sailed on the rising wind “Paff” into the back of the net for Cookham’s third.

As the enjoyment levels rose from mastering a tightly knit and confident footballing showcase, the boys reacted with some fast ball movement in the clinch followed by some long and perfectly positioned passes opening up the game; now Miles sweetly crafting some lovely forward moves onto Paul, who in turn connected with Harry to consistently move the game into the Marlow area.

By now Marlow had knitted together a little more composure, holding tightly and consolidating, but still not managing to hold back the tide of good passing play from Cookham; now with Mikey and Paul in some great team play as Paul ran onto one or two lovely long passes from Mikey and crossed for a shot or two on the busy Marlow keeper.

Three goals down but still Marlow were coming at us; with a lovely free kick almost at the halfway line finding a blue shirt who volleyed at our goalmouth; but Tom was on his toes and stepped in fast as a whippet to save.

Cookham came back at the blues with Greg, Paul, and Luke stepping up their game for another assault, and it was a matter of time before Greg lobbed a sweet pass up the field to Tom Banks who’s magic go-go shooting leg unleashed its fury, notching up another goal in the closing moments of the first.

With the second half Marlow were still looking hungry, but this time Cookham were ready for the high tempo game, and with winged feet Harry took receipt of some more sweet forward motion, surging forward and threatening some dance-magic goal-action.

With the passing play continuing to count, Louis was found darting around the Blue shirts. In one fluid motion he beat one, two, three, four of his opponents; before pausing to unwrap some chewing gum, folding the paper neatly, and pocketing it to avoid litter, then continuing through the throng of blue shirts to create a breathtaking opportunity via Tom Harvey’s strong midfield play to Mikey for a shot that sanded the crossbar.

Once again Harry was up front, this time in some strong team play with Tom Banks, who was dominating his flank this morning; now taking receipt of the pass and with complete control nailing the fifth goal of the game.

Moments later it was once again the selfless Mr Sackman beating three defenders before serving up a sweet pass to Tom Banks finding space amongst some stocky blue bodies, out to PJ, who popped the ball in with the timeless assurance of the vicar pouring Sunday tea, for his first and our sixth of the game.

The game closed with more of the same, Harry, Tom, PJ, Tom Harvey, and Mikey marauding, with a sweet PJ trademark corner to Harry in for our seventh and final goal of the game.

A very strong performance from the lads against a team who showed occasional moments of strength and skill, but who for some reason never quite managed to finish. Nevertheless, the Marlow lads did not for one moment lose faith that they could turn the game around, chasing every ball, threatening every Cookham move, calling loudly and with positive spirit right to the final whistle, and demonstrating superb sporting attitude; a credit to their coaching and management team and worthy challengers to an on-form Cookham team at their best today.