Arlesey were caught cold at Marlow on Tuesday evening as a fifth minute strike saw them slump to a 1-0 defeat. The Blues were hoping to build on last Saturday s success but had to do without James Dillnut, who was still sidelined with a stomach virus and

Arlesey were caught cold at Marlow on Tuesday evening as a fifth minute strike saw them slump to a 1-0 defeat.

The Blues were hoping to build on last Saturday's success but had to do without James Dillnut, who was still sidelined with a stomach virus and Matthew Clark unavailable due to his university commitments.

Without putting too finer point on proceedings, this was a match lacking in quality and Arlesey never hit the heights they reached last weekend.

The Blues enjoyed the lion's share of the play in the first half and had enough possession to grind out a result in the second period, but only twice did they test home keeper MacTaggart.

The defining moment came in the fifth minute when James Russell flapped at a corner allowing COUCH to stab home from close range.

For the rest of the half the visitors controlled the game but long range efforts from Jamie Osborne, Richard Pringle and Judah Hernandes failed to test the home keeper.

Their best chance came just after the half-hour mark when a Hernandes cross from the right found Pringle, whose scuffed effort was pushed wide by MacTaggart.

After the break Arlesey still could not make muster much of a threat going forward and were gradually being pushed back by Marlow.

In the 76th minute Arlesey at last worked an opening when Liam Beaumont, who came on for Hernandez, played the ball to Pringle who had found some space but his low shot flashed wide of the post.

Ryan Francis replaced Pringle but, whatever combination Arlesey tried, it was just not their night in front of goal and on chances alone they did not deserve to return home with any share of the spoils.

Blues: Russell, Waldron, Brown, Moran, Hernandes, Allen, Facey, Reynolds, Pringle, Osborne, Kimani. Subs: Francis, Beaumont, Gutzmore.

Attendance: 92