Bartley blasts 'inexplicable' display after Marlow are beaten again

Stotfold 2, Marlow 0

Marlow boss Mark Bartley was desperately disappointed with his side’s display as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Stotfold on Saturday, a result that leaves the Blues 16th in the Southern League Central Division after four matches.

It’s far too early in the season to be writing off Marlow’s prospects, however, Bartley would have hoped his side would hit the ground running rather than stumbling following last season’s relegation.

It appears the Blues need a little while longer to get last season’s demotion out of their system, with Bartley’s side having crashed out of the Southern League Premier South with only five wins to their name all campaign.

They have managed one win so far this season, at home to Aylesbury United in their second match - and they followed that up with a narrow win over Binfield in the preliminary round of the FA Cup.

However, things have taken a dramatic turn for the worse since then with the side losing four games on the spin in all competitions.

Their latest, at Stotfold, was their most surprising, and least defendable, with Stotfold having headed into that game off the back of four straight league defeats - having found the net only twice and conceded 10 in those matches.

The Blues played well in the first half, and Bartley was encouraged by what he saw from his team as they looked to bounce back following difficult results in the league and cup. However, he said they ‘inexplicably and inexcusably folded’ in the second half.

A fine finish from Henry Snee put the home side in front after 54 minutes and Richesse Mvioki put Stotfold two goals to the good with another impressive strike just 10 minutes later.

The Blues huffed and puffed in a bid to get back into the game but created little and the hosts held out for a hugely important win.

Bartley will now return to the training ground - as well as the drawing board - as he bids to kick-start the season.

Reflecting on Saturday, he posted: “After a largely positive first half performance. We inexplicably and inexcusably folded in the second half.

“It was as disappointing as it was unacceptable and we now have 2 weeks of eye-wateringly hard work before our next match, to ensure that it never happens again!”

The result leaves the Blues just above Stotfold in the table having played one fewer game.

With Saturday’s game at Thame United postponed they now have two weeks to wait until they can right the wrongs of Saturday’s display when they host fifth placed Hadley at home (September 27).