Marlow 3-2 Westfield (AET). Leatherhead 1-1 Southall (AET – Leatherhead win 3-2 on penalties).
It turned into late nights for Marlow and Leatherhead as they overcame stern opposition to meet in Sunday’s Pitching In Isthmian Division One South Central play-off final.
After a goalless first half, Marlow took the lead just shy of the hour through Ben Mulley, but squandered a chance to double it when Dawid Rogalski’s penalty was saved by Sonny Wheeler.
Caleb Wright punished them further shortly afterwards by levelling for Westfield, but Rogalski redeemed himself by putting the Blues ahead with his 41st goal of the season.
Westfield refused to lie down as Alfie Huckle’s goal took them to extra time, where Marlow substitute Brandon Curtis became the hero of the night as his low free-kick finally saw off their hard-working opponents.
Just over 1,000 spectators saw Leatherhead and Southall go the distance in the other semi-final.
Southall took the lead just after half-time through Jaden Thompson-Brissett, but Tyler Cox’s fine individual goal just past the hour levelled it up.
No further goals in the 90 or extra-time took the tie to penalties, where Southall replaced goalkeeper Kojusoluwa Abayomi with Michael Edegbe.
Unfortunately he was helpless as three misses by the visitors in the shootout saw Leatherhead eventually prevail.
Marlow will have home advantage on Sunday. They’ve not competed in the Isthmian Premier since the restructure in 2004, while Leatherhead are looking to return to Step 3 after a two-year absence.
