On a wet & windy day in North West London Marsh got off to an appalling start in this match. It must be said, although not really as an excuse, that the pitch itself was a recreational park pitch, which varied in unevenness, length of grass ... and divots !! .
Marsh had hardly got into the match when a Copland attack resulted in a Penalty. I know not what for !!! Even a number of Copland people seemed very surprised. This was scored and worse was to follow. About 10 minutes later, with Marsh still not really picking up their game much, yet another Penalty. This may have been ..... some you get , some you don’t. This was also scored, and things did not look good. Although Marsh started to compete in this match, after 27 minutes they found themselves 3 – 0 down. They now, and only now, started to show their worth and slowly but surely dragged themselves back into this match. After 43 minutes, from close range, RHYS PRICE slotted the ball home to shorten the difference at half time.
The second half saw a much more positive Marsh who attacked from the word go, and on many occasions looked likely to score. Wave after wave of attack kept Copland on the back foot. Paul Nolan was “ fouled “ , perhaps just inside the box, and left laying on the ground but Marsh did not get a Penalty, or even a free kick !!1 Excellent work led to the ball being crossed into the Copland area where Rhys Price hit it on the volley first bounce, not realising he had more time, but it ended wide . Further close efforts followed. Copland did attack but in this half few & far between them. With time running out JONNY WIGGINS rose majestically to head the ball home, and give Marsh hope. It was too late as the Referee, a short time after, blew his whistle for the end of the match. Perhaps Marsh should have had a few minutes longer added for various time wasting but paid for such a poor start .
Reported by Clive Goodman