Inconsistency strikes again as Flackwell Heath and Marlow suffer fresh blows

Matt Ayres scored a late consolation against Biggleswade Town. Photo: Charlie Carter

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Flackwell Heath and Marlow both look set for underwhelming league campaigns as they continue to struggle for any kind of consistency.

Saturday’s 6-0 defeat of AFC Dunstable at Wilks Park was a high point in the side’s season, but they were unable to build upon it once again as the Heathens were then well beaten 4-2 on home soil by Biggleswade Town on Tuesday evening.

After Saturday’s game, Callum Mapley said it was difficult for the players to maintain focus and motivation with the side idling along in the lower to middle reaches of the Southern League Central Division table. And the side’s performance against Biggleswade on Tuesday was illustrative of that.

Against a team battling for a top five position, they were competitive in the first half, with Jamie Ayres’ goal in the 29th minute cancelling out Joshua Steele’s opener for Biggleswade in the second minute.

But their challenge collapsed as the visitors raced into a 4-1 second half lead through goals from Harrison Rookard (47'), and Coree Jason Wilson (51’ and 80’). Jamie’s brother Matty scored a late consolation, but the club’s rollercoaster week finished on a low.

On Saturday, they swept past Dunstable at home for the second time in as many seasons. Eli Grant smashed them in front after only seven minutes. Ben Stallard then finished off a sweeping move to make it 2-0 in the 15th minute, and they’d raced onto 5-0 by the interval thanks to a brace from Mapley and another from Jack Shakespeare. Flackwell took their tally to six in the 78th minute when Stallard’s strike from distance rebounded for Juwon Akintunde to poke home.

This week’s topsy-turvy home results leave the side 13th in the table on 40 points, a long way short of where they hoped and expected to be this season. They visit eighth placed Barton Rovers on Saturday.

While Flackwell’s season has been stop-start, Marlow’s has never really got started.

The Blues have generally disappointed this term following demotion from step 3 last season and sit 16th in the table after Tuesday’s 2-0 home defeat to Ware.

Both goals came in a 10-minute spell midway through the second half through Samuel Kifwasima-Mayuma (55') and Reece Beckles-Richards (66').

Marlow substitute Shamar Moore was also sent off for two bookable offences in the final minutes to compound matters and finish off the Blues’ hopes.

Marlow will look to avoid a third straight home defeat when they welcome London Lions to Oak Tree Road on Saturday afternoon before next Tuesday’s trip to 12th placed Welwyn Garden City.