Marlow United FC claim the Thames Valley Premier League title

Marlow United celebrate their title win. Photo credit MyMarlow

--

Marlow United wrapped up the Thames Valley Premier on Tuesday night with a dramatic 4-2 win over Woodley United Royals.

The Flying Blues had one hand on the title before entering the game, knowing that only a 19 goal loss would have handed Cookham Dean the title. James Pritchard’s men took the lead thanks to a Shane Cooper-Clark’s goal but had to come from behind late in the day to claim victory.

The Royals hit back with two goals from Blakemore in quick succession to give the away side a 2-1 lead at the break as the away side looked to spoil a winning ending for the champions-elect.

Cooper-Clark was a whisker away from levelling things up after the break after he fired just wide, before Marlow ramped up the pressure adding more firepower up top with Chris Hurst and Felix Prudden coming off the bench.

The game grew into a feisty affair after the hour as Woodley were reduced to ten men and Marlow made the most of their man advantage as Darren Rockell bundled the ball home to level the scores at 2-2.

The home side pushed for a winner in injury time and they retook the lead when top scorer Hurst guided his effort past the Woodley ‘keeper before being mobbed by his jubilant teammates.

There’s was still time for the champions to put the cherry on the cake when deep into added time Cooper-Clark grabbed his second of the day to confirm Marlow as the champions of the 2018/19 Thames Valley Premier league, and their TVPL title win in four years.