Hayes & Yeading United thrash Marlow in FA Trophy opener
Hayes & Yeading United made light work of Marlow in the first round qualifying of the FA Trophy on Friday, running out 4-0 winners at home. The result leaves Marlow's preparations looking thoroughly disjointed.
By then it was already clear this wouldn't be close. Hayes & Yeading kept their side in it from the start and simply never let up, while Marlow looked like they'd switched off at the back. The visitors didn't have an answer to the pressure.
Marlow's recent record tells the story. They'd lost 0-4 to Chatham Town in August last year, then 0-3 at Three Bridges, and were beaten 1-3 by Ashford Town in their most recent outing. That's four defeats in five matches, with only a 2-1 win over Binfeld to show for it.
Hayes & Yeading, meanwhile, have opened talks about their ambitions after a mixed start to their own campaign. They'd drawn 1-1 with Whithawk, lost 2-3 away at Whitehawk, but then bounced back with a 1-0 win over Metropolitan Police and a 5-1 demolition of Southall.
The scoreline reflects a gulf that wasn't hidden. Marlow had nothing to offer against a side that fancy their chances after building momentum. One mistake ends it against opposition this sharp, and Marlow made several.
Hayes & Yeading now sit comfortably ahead in this tie. Marlow have a lot to do before they can claim anything meaningful from this season.