Carvell Looks Forward To Shortwood - 6th February

Marlow manager Kevin Carvell, still cock- a- hoop after defeating high flying Kidlington on Tuesday evening, now looks forward to playing promotion hopefuls Shortwood at Wilkes Park today.

Carvell explained. “I was delighted with the performance of the players on Tuesday, everyone of them gave their all to gain a superb result for the club. After the trials and tribulations prior to the recent cold spell, culminating in the heavy defeat at Bicester, we have welcomed back most of the squad and the break allowed several to recover from injuries. It was disappointing to lose Lee Ovens to Holyport but if he didn’t have his heart in it it’s better that he moves on and it’s given Dan Flint the opportunity to step up and he has performed really well. The club still has everything to play for with important games in both the Reading Senior Cup and the Blue Fin League Cup coming up plus we can still achieve a respectable league position with 12 home games remaining. A real plus for the club has been the form of youngsters Sam Walters and Jamie West, they have both settled into the side and played excellently on Tuesday. As for Saturday, well we have three injuries from Tuesday’s game, hopefully one or two will recover and we have Captain Tris Heywood back from injury. We know how hard it will be having lost 5-2 away but if we can show the same commitment as against Kidlington then we will give a good account of ourselves.”

Marlow Ready - 24th November

Assistant manager Gary Wiltshire (pictured) takes his Bucks outfit on the short trip to Scours Lane tonight, as they attempt to do what no other Hellenic League team has achieved this season, defeating league leaders Reading Town.

Despite losing by a single goal to Almondsbury on Saturday Wiltshire was happy with the teams performance, particularly the defence which restricted the second place team to a single goal and with a little luck they may have snatched a draw at the death. We looked solid at the back with Captain Tristan Heywood begining to look back to his best and keeper Carl Murray continuing his fine form of late."

"Unfortunatly Rob Crawford is now unavailable until after Christmas as he is off to Australia but Scot Benyon is back from injury and Dan Pedley is available again. It looks as if Ross Middleton will miss the game after recieving a knock on Saturday but other than that we should be at full strengh. It will be very hard to gain anything from the game but we showed on Saturday that we are regaining our form and we will give a good account of ourselves. We managed to win the corresponding fixture by the odd goal last season so Reading will be looking to reverse that result"

Carvell Absent - 20th November

Marlow United attempt to become the first team to lower the colours of title chasing Almondsbury Town at Wilkes Park tomorrow without manager Kevin Carvell (pictured) who also misses Tuesdays away game at league leaders Reading.

Assistant manager Gary Wiltshire will take the reins along with coach Mark Sciaraffa for both matches so the team will be in experienced hands.

The home team have a full strength squad to choose from as they become the sixteenth team this season to try and overcome Almondsbury who, with Richard Thompson settling into the managers role, appear to be stronger than ever as they push for the title and promotion.

Assistant manager Wiltshire was happy to be the 'boss' for the day stating " We couldn't have asked for two harder back to back games, Kevin certainly knew what he was doing when he booked his break. The cancelled match at Wantage allowed several of the injured players to recover so we should be at full strength on Saturday. We gave a good account of ourselves in the Floodlit Cup a few weeks ago at their place and we will need to show the same fighting spirit in this game if we are to gain anything from the match and Binfield held them to a draw in their last away game so we have a chance"

Top Scorer Back - 14th November

Marlow travel to Alfredian Park today to take on surprise title contenders Wantage Town with top scorer Andy Nicol (pictured) back in contention following his three match suspension.

United also expect to have defender Scot Benyon and midfielders Greg Corbett and Scot Webb back from injury as they embark on a tough three match run that also includes Almondsbury followed by Reading Town. Missing from the squad are Ben Filmore, Jason Bowler, Chris Paget and Ollie Flint along with the long term injured Mark Doswell who starred for Marlow in last seasons match at Wantage, a game that Marlow won by the odd goal.

Manager Kevin Carvell was guarded about his teams prospects stating " Wantage have been the surprise package this season, only losing one game in the league so far and we are currently going through a poor period of form after a bright start. We should be OK up front with the Nicol and and Jamie Wright pairing but at present we are struggling in the middle of the park."

Carvell added. "Looking at Wantage they appear a decent side but apart from three games in which they scored a total of 17 goals they don't appear to be prolific scorers having scored one goal in each of thier last three league games so it may all come down to our defence. They justifiably start as favourites and if we gain anything from the game it will be a bonus"

Marlow Sign Wright On Loan - 7th November

Marlow United have moved quickly to fill the gap left by the suspension of centre forward Andy Nicol with the capture of Holyports' Jamie Wright (pictured left) on a one month loan deal.

The 2 metre high 21 year old, has found opportunities hard to come by this season as the Berkshire team continue to score goals for fun and jumped at the chance to play Hellenic Premiership football at United.

With Highworth, Wantage, Almondsbury and Reading Town coming up in the next three weeks Wright could not have asked for a tougher baptism in the higher division.

Marlow also welcome back Jason Bowler (right) for afternoons fixture, the experienced player returning to competitive football after his brief spell at Witney toward the end of last season. Both players trained on Thursday and will be in the starting line up for the visit of Highworth Town when the home team will be attempting to reverse a 5-0 defeat from four weeks ago.

Marlow Welcome Back Crawford - 30th October

Despite losing heavily at Shortwood last week one bright spot for the Buckinghamshire side was the return to the first team fold of defender Rob Crawford (pictured).

The youngster was a regular in the team that won promotion two seasons ago and the management had high hopes that the player would become a lynch pin at the centre of the defence. After starting last season he disappeared from the scene as his appetite for the game appeared to wane and despite playing in the Reading Premier League for United's reserves it appeared that his first team opportunities had gone.

This season a series of dominent displays saw Rob selected to represent the Reading league team representive side, becoming the first player from outside the senior division to do so, a game in which he shone as Reading defeated the Somerset League 4-3. His performance has seen him selected for the next round of the competition against the Herts Senior County League.

In the meantime Rob is delighted to find himself back in the first team for Marlow and if he continues to perform as assuredly as in the games against against Carterton and Shortwood he will be difficult to shift. Crawford will line up in United's defence as they take on Newbury at Wilkes park in the preliminary round of the Bluefin sponsored Challenge Cup this Saturday.

Marlow welcome back Lee Ovens and Dan Pedley back from suspension and hope to have forward Adam Harman back from Marlow FC although top scorer Andy Nicol begins a two match suspension. With a home match against Farnborough Reserves in the first round awaiting the winners both sides will view this tie as an opportunity to start a decent run in the competition.

Tough Road Ahead - 23rd October

Marlow United face probably their sternest month of football since joining the Hellenic League starting this tomorrow with a visit to Championship chasers Shortwood.

That fixture is followed by a Challenge Cup preliminary round game at home to Newbury before four tough league games in November First up are Highworth at home, with United attempting to avenge a recent 5-0 reverse with a visit to in form Wantage seven days after. Once they negotiate those two fixtures along come Almondsbury at home quickly followed on the Tuesday with Reading Town away to complete the month.

Manager Kevin Carvell explained. “This really is the sternest test the club has faced since we joined the Hellenic League. Cup tie apart the five premiership clubs have lost a total of six games out of a total of fifty seven played, that’s one more than we have lost in fifteen league fixtures. That statistic alone puts our task into perspective. I have been pleased with our progress so far this season but November will really test the quality of our squad. I know if I can field our strongest side we can give any team a decent game and I am hoping to have pretty much our full squad to select from this Saturday’s for the visit to Shortwood. Come the end of the month we shall have a better idea of our standing in the league, it’s a challenge the club are eagerly looking forward to, after all that’s the reason for playing at this level”

New Sponsor For Marlow- 16th October

Hellenic Premier club Marlow United are pleased to announce the signing of a sponsorship deal with local building company T Jones & Son who become the clubs main sponsor as of now.

Chairman Bernard Carvell stated “Marlow are delighted to welcome such a prestigious local building company as our main sponsors. Finding a sponsor in today’s economic climate is not easy and I would like to thank all those at the club who have helped negotiate this deal, particularly our manager Kevin, who got the ball rolling, and Mark Corrick who dealt with most of the negotiations. As a club with no home base all our income has to be raised from outside sources and this will enable the club to look to the future with renewed confidence. I would like to thank Trevor and Jamie Jones for supporting the club and I think it is particularly pleasing that we have entered into a relationship with a local firm as we are a truly local football club. We have shown other clubs that you can be ambitious and move up the football pyramid if you have the right set up and enthusiasm within the club”.

Meanwhile Marlow entertain Carterton at Wilkes Park on Saturday looking to consolidate their position in the league. They expect to have captain Tristan Heywood, defender Scot Benyon and keeper Carl Murray back from injury as they attempt to improve on Wednesdays draw at Ascot although work, suspensions and holiday commitments mean manager Kevin Carvell will not have a full squad to select from. Although Carterton have only won one game in ten this season that win was against a good Binfield team and they gave front runners Reading Town two close games along with the other undefeated team in the league, Almondsbury Town.

Carvell is expecting a tough game after the teams draw at Ascot on Wednesday “We deserved to pick up all three points on Wednesday doing everything but score the winner in the second half. If we can continue that form on Saturday then I feel confident of picking up a win although Carterton will be a difficult game. Unfortunately several players are not available for selection so the team will have a different look to it yet again. It’s frustrating trying to get a settled team and it’s costing us points with the chopping and changing each week. With Shortwood away coming up next a win would be very useful”

Marlow Prepare With Depleted Squad - 9th October

Marlow United are preparing to take on Premier Division rivals Highworth Town with a much depleted squad with eight of the players away on a weekend in Newcastle.

Manager Kevin Carvell will be hoping for no late withdrawals as he takes a squad of 14 to Wiltshire in an important league fixture, he said; “Highworth have not started the league campaign brilliantly with 3 wins and 3 losses from their seven games so they are going to be keen to improve that record. The fact that they have only played 7 games does mean their league position is false and I would expect them to finish in the top eight come the finish, a position our club is aiming for. This is the sort of game in which we need to get a result if we are intending to stay in the top half of the table and having half our squad missing is certainly not ideal. It’s a bit like a boxer entering the ring with one hand tied behind his back but as our players are all amateurs I cannot dictate to the players. It was the same last season when we travelled to Highworth with a scratch team and we lost a close game 3-2, we will be hoping to improve on that result tomorrow”

Defence Of The Floodlit Cup - 7th October

Marlow United begin the defence of the AM Print and Copy Floodlit Cup at Almondsbury tonight. The cup holders could not have asked for a tougher first round draw as they have to travel to Bristol, a round trip of 193 miles, as well as meeting one of the favourites for the Hellenic league title this season who currently remain only one of two undefeated teams in the league.

Manager Kevin Carvell remains upbeat about the team’s chances stating “when the draw was made we realised that we may well have e a short run in this season’s competition but we will give it our best shot. We are having a decent run at the moment, having won four and drawn two of our last seven games so anything is possible. Having to travel so far in mid week in what is, lets face it, the least regarded of the cup competitions seems to be a little excessive, maybe the competition could be regionalised until say the quarter finals but that’s for others to decide. We will struggle to take our strongest team as several players are not able to make the trip but having said that the team we will put out will be competitive and look at last season, we overcame all the odds in defeating the holders Kidlington on their own patch in the semi’s and then topped that with the final win at Hungerford. I have spoken with several managers who say the competition is not on their list of priorities but believe me if you win it its brilliant, especially for clubs like ours who realistically are not going to win the league. It certainly won’t be easy but we are going to do our absolute best to retain this trophy starting on Wednesday”.

Marlow captain Tristan Heywood is one player who misses the trip as his injury jinx continues to haunt him. Having starred in United’s win over Witney the player picked up a mystery chest injury in the dying minutes and had to sit out Saturday’s game.
It was feared the player had cracked a rib but although this has been ruled out Tristan is still having difficulties in moving and see’s a specialist on Wednesday. Marlow’s other long term absentee Mark Doswell continues his rehabilitation and has pencilled October the 17th for his return to competitive action.

Good News For Marlow - 2nd October

Marlow Snap Up Harman -29th September

Marlow United have signed 20 year old forward Adam Harman from neighbours Marlow FC as they attempt to add fire power for tonights fixture at Abingdon Town. Harman is returning from a long term injury after making a prolific start to his senior career with the Zamaretto League team in 2006 whilst still a youth team player.

The player came on as a substitute for Marlow FC in Saturday’s 6-1 defeat of Soham Town, scoring from the penalty spot in the process, but the management of the club have advised the youngster to find himself some regular football to regain his match fitness allowing United to snap up the player.

Manager Kevin Carvell also hopes to have Leigh Mason and Andy Nichol back for the Abingdon fixture as they attempt to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing defeat by Oxford City Nomads. Carvell is also talking to experienced midfielder Chris Rowley, presently out of favour at Flackwell Heath, and is hopeful of adding the player to the United squad in the near future.

MarlowLooking Forward To Tomorrow- 25th September

Marlow United are eagerly looking forward to Saturdays return fixture with Oxford City Nomads in the FTL Futbol Hellenic Premier at Wilkes Park having suffered a dramatic injury time defeat in the opening game of the season. Still basking in the glow of Tuesdays defeat of Witney United, probably their finest victory since promotion to the Premier Division, United are now preparing to meet the leagues leading goal scorers in what promises to be an attacking bonanza. Unfortunately for the Bucks team captain Tristan Heywood, outstanding on Tuesday evening, will not be available due to work commitments and the club are also waiting on Leigh Mason who may well be required by Staines Town.

Manager Kevin Carvell has drafted in defender Tim Degalas as cover for Heywood and forward Adam Cooper is due to return after a lengthy injury. Nomads are currently the leagues leading scorers with 25 goals from 10 games and with Marlow notching 20 in 9 games it promises to be eventful afternoon. Both teams Achilles heal would appear to be in defence with Oxford having conceded 25 goals, only three teams having a worse record. Carvell expanded “We felt aggrieved at losing the opening game at Oxford with an incredible 8 minutes of added time in which the home team scored twice so this Saturday gives us an early opportunity to reverse the result. Coming on the back of an excellent performance at Witney the team are really looking to press on and cement a top half position. Lets face it teams like us are not meant to beat the likes of Witney who are set up to play Southern League football and I believe they will be in the shake up for the title. As for Saturday, well looking at Oxfords record it certainly could be a case of they score one and we score two so if you enjoy attacking football get along to Wilkes Park”

Tenants Raid Landlords- 18th September

Tenants Marlow United raided ground share landlords Flackwell Heath of the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division to bolster their squad, signing Heathens ex youth team players Jamie West and Sam Walters.

Marlow manager Kevin Carvell explained “I spoke to Flackwell manager Mat Flint about the two lads who have been unable to break into their squad. Both boys, who are 17 years old, are keen to play and frankly their chances are better at Marlow than Flackwell and Mat was happy to recommend that they join us. We are a bit short on squad numbers and both boys will gain valuable experience at the club”

Jamie who is a centre forward and Sam, a naturally left footed defender, both played a part in Marlow’s 3-0 win at Shrivenham coming on as substitutes in the second half. “They both did well when they came on and that was an added bonus to an excellent result. I was delighted that we kept a clean sheet and it’s no coincidence that we had Captain Tristan Heywood back in defence for the game. We have been scoring plenty of goals, 16 in seven matches, including three hat tricks by three different players but conceding far too many and a clean sheet is just what we needed especially with Saturdays home fixture with Binfield looming. They gave us a 3-0 thrashing on Bank holiday Monday so this is our chance to reverse that result and a repeat of Wednesday’s performance could well result in a close game. We are gradually getting our more experienced players back and things are looking a lot more promising”

Awaiting Key Player Fitness - 4th September

Marlow United manager Kevin Carvell is hoping that captain and defensive lynch pin Tristan Heywood (pictured) will be fit for Saturdays FA Vase tie at Melksham this Saturday.

"Tristan received the injury to his groin that required six stitches following a tackle against Hook Norton last Saturday but he assures me he is a quick healer so it's fingers crossed.

We know it will be a tough game at Melksham and with defender Nick Flint doubtful with a neck injury we really will need Tristan to be fit. We missed both players at Binfield on Monday as the score line suggests.Melksham have started their season a bit like ourselves with two wins and two losses so we are capable of gaining a result. It would be good for the club to get a decent run in the Vase"