Tarpey scores twice as Marlow race away from Raynes Park Vale

Dave Tarpey scoring last week against Met Police. Steven Galvin Info@StevenGalvin.Photography

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Raynes Park Vale 1, Marlow 4

An impressive first half display helped Marlow get the better of one of their promotion rivals, with the Blues comfortably beating Raynes Park Vale 4-1 away from home on Saturday.

Striker Dave Tarpey was once again on the scoresheet, netting twice in the first half to add to Naheer Nawaf's 10th minute opener.

The former Maidenhead United striker has found some form of late after also netting a hat-trick in last weekend's 4-0 home win over the Met Police.

Tarpey's goals in the 14th and 21st minute gave the Blues a real stranglehold on this fixture, and it was one they never really looked like relinquishing, despite Raynes Park grabbing a goal back through Nathan Lewis just after the half-hour mark.

Had the hosts scored again, it may have given the 308 inside the Prince George's Playing Fields a real glimmer of hope, but the Blues have been resilient of late, in a run that's seen them win four of their last five matches.

Then, when the home side had run out of puff, the visitors cemented their victory with a late strike from Josh Boorn in the 90th minute.

That run of form - after an awful Christmas spell brought them three straight defeats - has lifted Mark Bartley's side back up to fourth in the table, a point behind third placed Leatherhead and seven behind second placed Southall - who they have a game in hand over - and leaders Chertsey.

Reflecting on the game, Bartley posted: “Superb all-round performance from us today, where another blistering start saw us 3-0 up inside the opening 20 minutes.

“We disappointingly conceded from a set piece prior to resolutely rebuffing an early second half onslaught before ultimately killing the game late on.”

Tomorrow evening (Tuesday) they're due to be back in action at 11th placed Hanworth Villa, the team that well and truly punctured their promotion hopes last season, while Saturday see the Blues return to Oak Tree Road for the visit of 18th placed Guernsey.