Marlborough United 1–0 Wessex United: Çelebi breaks the streak

Match report

Marlborough United finally stopped splitting points on Monday 10 August. Erdem Çelebi provided the only single of the evening, scoring in the sixth minute after a neat piece of work from Akin Mosibudi. For Çelebi, it is a continuing trend. He has scored in three of his last four outings, marking him as the most reliable individual in the squad. In fairness, his output is impressive, but the breakdown of the game suggests he is simply the only one capable of finishing a chance.

Things looked bleak for the hosts just before the interval. Antonio Cardamone saw red in the 45th minute, leaving Marlborough to face a 45-minute disadvantage. It was a moment of madness that would have seen a lesser side collapse. Instead, they clung to the lead with a sort of desperate, shaking grip. Wessex United, currently in good nick, could not find a way through. They spent the remaining time knocking on a door that Marlborough had effectively welded shut. The result keeps Marlborough in fourth, though the manner of the win was less a statement and more a relief.