After two home games the Dolphins are on the road this Saturday when we travel to newly promoted Marlow FC, which is north of Reading on the A33. The Blues won promotion from the Isthmian League – South Central last season beating Leatherhead 3-1 in the play-off final on 5^th May. They were runners up to Chertsey Town and won 29 of their 40 matches, scoring 106 goals.

Therefore, we should not read too much into the fact that they are yet to record a victory this season after taking just a point from their first three matches. They opened the campaign with a 1-1 home draw with Winchester, although they had a 92^nd minute goal disallowed for a foul on the keeper, followed by away defeats at Walton & Hersham (0-3) and Sholing (0-1).

Marlow’s most experienced player is Dave Tarpey who joined the them from Leatherhead part way through the 2023/24 season netting 24 times in 31 appearances. He has also played for Maidenhead United, Bracknell Town and several other clubs. His contribution to the promotion season can not be underestimated.

Manager Mark Bartley was a player was at Hayes, Slough Town, Burnham and Thame United before taking over at Reading Town in the latter part of season 2011/2012 and guiding them to safety. He then went on to win the Hellenic Premier Division with Marlow in his first season with the club, returning the Blues to step 4 football. In season 2023/24, he gained promotion to step 3 in the Southern League and reached the County Cup final for the second season running.

We go into the match with a win, a draw and a defeat which bearing in mind that we have played three of the strongest teams in the league will be seen as a positive start. We have conceded just one goal, v AFC Totton and scored one, v Taunton Town.

Speaking after Saturday’s loss to AFC Totton, Steve Tully made it very clear that the lack of goals is the main concern and where the focus will be in the run up to this Saturday. We have often been accused of having a leaky defence but that has not been the case this season so far.

In his match report Peter Leppington summed up our performance by writing “A disappointing result but another very good display against the clear favourites to win the league” which I think many will agree with.

Our home support has been fantastic with just over 1500 spectators watching the first two home fixtures. With the visit of neighbours Wimborne Town to the Black Gold on Bank Holiday Monday this level of is bound to continue.

We can be sure of a great following at Marlow which will make a huge difference to the team. We will need to come away with all three points to keep in touch with the early leaders.

Enjoy the game,

Neil Wellington.