The reality however, was that this game, while exciting to the neutral, was a tale of two defences and a lethal United front line. Marlow had mitigation, shorn of Mckie and Nmwosi (unavailable) and Williams (injured) from their defensive back four Manager Letts rang the changes bringing in Justin Williams to right back, young Nathan Braim to left back while pulling James Namyslak from midfield to partner usual left back Ryan Britnell at centre back. Individually they did fine in my view, but confusion at times reigned and for me was the principal reason United didn’t run away with the game at a much earlier stage, along with the hosts never say die attitude.

Going forward United can be lethal and so it proved on this occasion with the imperious Wes Sutherland leading the line with a sublime hat trick. Or was it? Currently there is a debate of England v West Germany proportions of did it or didn’t it cross the line, I think it did but then I think England’s did as well! Regardless of the rights and wrongs it wasn’t match defining and a hat trick was well deserving of a player who can rise to the occasion and he did just that yesterday.

With influential midfielder James Hardie and striker Andy Nicol also unavailable yesterday opportunity presented itself and everyone acquitted themselves well. Jake Kozak who never gives less than 100% suffered somewhat in front of goal until late in the game and his goal will surely provide the boost that he needs while young Nathan Braim also did well despite being clearly out of position at right back when the left back position would be far more comfortable for him. United have had one or two right footed left backs in its past but the only one to carry it off with real success was a young Andy Grieg, but that was a while back! Round plugs for round holes it’s called but that is of course only my opinion. But young Braim has a future that’s clear for all to see.

Yesterday really was a case of make do and mend and to that end nobody can have any complaints. I also think it worthy of mentioning the skipper, Ollie Flint. In difficult circumstances you need your Captain to step up to the plate, Skipper Flint did that yesterday, leading by example and encouraging when things weren't quite going right, that’s the mark of a leader and lead he did.

To summarise I thought United were always in control, individuals can be pleased with themselves as can the team. It wasn't the most cohesive performance but that couldn't be expected with so many enforced changes but at the end of the day 8-3 is emphatic in anyone’s book.

With the day predominantly being dominated by Berks & Bucks FA Cup action there were a few league games played but nothing that had any great significance on United, at this stage.

Berks County thumped Woodley Utd 3-1 while Highmoor Ibis had a narrow 1-0 home win over Taplow Utd and Wraysbury staggered to a 2-2 home draw with struggling Rotherfield United. The top of the table remains unchanged with United clear by just two points.

Next week United make the trip to Woodcote for what always presents a difficult challenge. Woodcote currently lying third will come out all guns blazing as they will realise even at this early stage that they need to reduce the current 8-point gap at the top and will not want that to widen. Conversely United have the opportunity to effectively, if not actually kill off any Woodcote challenge, to, at the very least dilute it.