Wantage spent the entire game trying to get going. A great deal of energy and effort was expended, but their inability to make the final pass tell meant that they rarely threatened Marlow keeper Andrew Walden. Wantage’s cause was not helped when they lost their keeper Darryl Simms in the 28th minute, when Simms was adjudged to have brought down Marlow forward Gary Wiltshire just outside of the box, the Marlow forward getting the benefit of a disputed offside decision as he broke away to be one on one with the Wantage keeper. Wantage suffered not only the loss of Simms, but also replacing Simms with centre half Gary Swann, took the heart out of the Wantage defence. A minute later, as the Wantage defence was sorting out its new formation, a long cross to the far post was headed past Swann by Marlow right winger Lee Ovens to put the visitors a goal up.
Even at 1 – 0 down, Wantage had enough possession to get back into the game. They worked hard to disrupt a resolute Marlow defence and with more careful finishing might have levelled, Danny Keen and Gavin Jones both going close. The introduction for Wantage of substitute Tom Rowe livened up the proceedings, but Wantage could not score. The game was sealed for Marlow in the 83rd minute, when they won a penalty for handball as a free kick was driven into a defensive wall, Mark Dolswell making no mistake from the spot.
A challenging time ahead for Manager Richie Bourne and his squad, as he seeks to keep Wantage out of the danger zone, preparing for the midweek home clash on Wednesday with Witney, and then with local rivals Milton at Wantage, next Saturday.
Team.Darryl Simms, Liam Illsley, Andy Wallbridge, Gary Swann, Adam Learoyd, Sam Belcher,
Liam McCullough, Sean McKeon, Danny Allen, Danny Keen, Gavin Jones.
