Despite recent reports of Daventry Towns apparent decline into mediocrity, the Purple Army bounced back from their disappointing defeat to leaders Dunstable Town by beating FA Cup semi - finalists Marlow Town (1882!) by a comfortable 2 – 1 in sunny Buckinghamshire.

`The Blues` should consider changing their more populist nickname to `The Kites`, as the picturesque Alfred Davis Memorial Ground appears to be a magnet for Red Kites, of the ornithological type! Dozens of the beautiful raptors could be seen diving and twisting their long forked tails, from all around the ground, a truly magnificent sight!

Daventry started the game without Captain Liam Dolman and midfielder Adam Confue, Manager Darran Foster choosing to rotate his squad during the clubs testing run of four matches in eight days!

The Marlow back four were well drilled, catching the Daventry forwards off – side on almost every attack, forcing Daventry to play a long ball game, which was neither pretty to watch or very effective!
Tommy Berwick picked out Will Green but the strikers header flew straight into keeper Simon Grants hands, minutes before Berwick ran on to a long clearance form keeper Morris, only to fire his snap shot over the cross bar.

A similar move resulted in the first goal, Berwick had a shot tipped over the bar, after receiving a Morris clearance and from the resulting corner Marcel Simpson managed to toe poke the ball past the keeper in a scramble of players, to give Daventry an unexpected lead.
Luke Keen almost doubled the Towns lead immediately, but his shot was smothered by the onrushing keeper, minutes later midfielder Ross Oulton, who starts a two match suspension in a weeks’ time, received another unwelcome booking after twenty minutes, for a foul on Nathan Ashton.

Daventry had a lucky break after a run down the right wing by Carl Davies saw the winger pass the ball back to striker Jon Bennett whose shot was stopped from crossing the goal line by Daventry full back Ollie Wilkinson, only for Marlow to equalise minutes later.
A loose cross field ball from Tommy Berwick was seized upon by Chris Ovenden whose forward pass resulted in Morris and Simpson combining to block Bennetts shot, but Bennetts shot bounced back into his path, enabling the striker to pull the Blues level at half time.

Daventry created several more chances after the break, Will Green directing a header narrowly past the post and Tom James hitting a looping shot over the bar.
Daventry keeper Richard Morris prevented Marlow going in front, Captain Guy Sanders was left appealing for an infringement, allowing Bennett a free run at goal, but Morris anticipated the striker’s intentions and smothered his shot on the edge of his area! Another pinpoint cross from Bennett almost picked out Carl Davies at the far post, but the ball was just too high for him to direct it goal wards!

Daventry scored what proved to be the winning goal with twenty minutes remaining, Man of the Match Josh O`Grady smashed a shot goal wards which came down off the underside of the crossbar, it had clearly already crossed the line, but the ball was cleared out to Luke Keen who hammered the ball back from where it had come, allowing Keen to celebrate the goal!

Morris was soon called into action once again, substitute Michael Bartley found himself with a clear break on goal, but the swift actions of Morris hurried the striker who put to his shot high over the bar.
Josh Blake found himself clear on goal, but thinking he was offside, he placed his shot directly into the hands of keeper Grant as Daventry looked to wrap the game up.

The game concluded with a case of mistaken identity, Josh Blake was given a yellow card for wasting time, an offence committed by team mate Adam Confue, who had unknowingly trotted away from the scene of the crime, much to the amusement and bewilderment of Blake and the Daventry bench, players and supporters!

Jim Davis
Sports Writer

Match Facts:
Marlow 1 Daventry Town 2
Saturday 29th March 2014
Competition: Calor League Central Division One
Location: Alfred Davis Memorial Ground, Marlow.
Daventry: Richard Morris, Ollie Wilkinson, Tom James, Marcel Simpson, Guy Sanders (Capt), Ross Oulton, Will Green (Josh Blake 78mins), Luke Keen (Adam Confue 80mins), Ryan Howell , Tommy Berwick (Scott Cross 60mins), Josh O`Grady
Goal scorers: Daventry: Marcel Simpson 19mins, Luke Keen 69mins. Marlow: Jon Bennett 35mins
Man of the Match: Josh O`Grady
In the book: Yellow: Ross Oulton 22mins, Josh Blake 94mins
Attendance: 109

`I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered!

George Best