Marlow leave it late to pick up a crucial three points against Badshot Lea

Chairman Ian Benfell with Louis Rogers before kick-off. Credit: Marlow FC

--

Marlow 1, Badshot Lea 0

Title chasers Marlow left it late to pick up all three points against Badshot Lea on Saturday, with Naheer Omar-Nawaf grabbing the only goal of the game with three minutes to play.

The Blues had been the better side throughout but failed to breach the Badshot defence until the 87th minute when Nawaf scored what proved to be a crucial winner.

The win lifts the Blues to within six points of leaders Chertsey Town, having played a game more, and rekindles title hopes that appeared to have been extinguished by last week's home defeat to Guernsey Town.

While Marlow were leaving it late to beat Badshot, leaders Chertsey were being held to a goalless draw by Northwood at home. However, the leaders can re-establish a nine-point advantage at the home should they beat Guernsey away from home on Wednesday evening.

While the Blues have shown this season, they are more than capable of going on long unbeaten - and winning - runs, time is running out for them in this season's title race, with only nine games remaining. They do, however, still to go to Chertsey Town on Tuesday week (March 19) after travelling to play local rivals Binfield this Saturday.

If Chertsey do hold on for the title, the Blues' attention may turn to holding off the likes of Leatherhead for second place. Leatherhead are just three points adrift of them in third after they beat the Met Police 2-1 at home on Saturday.

The Blues had to show plenty of patience on Saturday, however, just when it seemed it might not be their day at Oak Tree Road, Nawaf popped up with the winner.

Reflecting on the result, manager Mark Bartley said: “Really good win against a dogged opponent today. I thought we created the better chances in the first half despite coming in level.

“We knew we had to continue to do the right things and be patient, and thankfully we were rightly rewarded three minutes from time.”

Bartley also paid tribute to midfielder Louis Rogers who played his 200th game for the Blues on Saturday. Presented with a commemorative trophy before kick-off by chairman Ian Benfell, Bartley added that Rogers had been an integral member of the squad since joining.

He said: “Would like to say a massive congratulations to Louis on reaching the double century for Marlow. Since arriving at the club, he has been an integral part of the squad. His reliability, level and consistency of performance make it easy to understand why he’s reached 200 games.”