At last, and not before time, Marsh Rangers F.C. have this season beaten Hayes Gate F.C. Hayes, had won the previous League Match & two Cup matches but this time Marsh were the deserved winners. Hayes played well although not as well as earlier in the season but perhaps Marsh did not let them. Both sides attacked but Marsh were at Hayes from the off and less than 4 minutes had gone before a free kick on the edge of the Hayes area was awarded to Marsh. Up stepped “SURE SHOT" JACK BIGWOOD who turned the ball around the wall and into the Hayes net. Marsh stayed on top during this opening period and had a number of chances but without leading scorer Bradley Hand, out injured for a few matches now, many were wasted. Hayes fought their way back into the match and had a good spell stretching the Marsh defence in all directions but it stood sound. The match opened up with now both sides attacking but both keepers making excellent saves, especially Adam Casey in the Marsh goal. He was called upon on a number of occasions to show his worth, and did just that.
The weather conditions were not good but the pitch stayed fine due to 3G.
Ground hoppers & other supporters lifted the viewing figures to around 25 or 30 and could not have expected more ....... but more they got in the second half. Marsh were not slack but Hayes started the half stronger. Miles Wiggins chased, and often won lost chances, but Hayes equalised deservedly so even if a large stroke of luck came their way. The bounce of the ball evaded the Marsh last line and keeper Adam Casey was beaten to the ball as it was slotted around him. Hayes now were in command but once again this season the Marsh Team rallied and fought their way back into the match. Steve Cloherty never stopped running, and with Miles Wiggins and the silky smooth play of Rhys Price urging Marsh forward they again took the lead. JACK BIGWOOD again fired home to put Marsh ahead. Although Hayes never stopped playing, and looking dangerous, Marsh now began to take command. A third goal, from RHYS PRICE, followed further excellent team play by Marsh, and when JACK BIGWOOD slotted home the fourth, his HAT TRICK, the game was over. Referee Dave Reeve, and his fellow officials played their part in allowing the game to flow wherever possible, and this was a fitting match for current Manager DAVE CAMPBELL to finish his 14 year or so stint as Marsh Rangers F.C. Manager. He will still be with the Club but no longer as manager. He has steered the Club from Sunday Football to Level 7 Saturday Football in the Pyramid. Dave, along with Denzil Lobb & Tony Heath will be awarded with a LONG SERVICE to FOOTBALL Award by the Middlesex County Football Association on Tuesday.
Reported by Clive Goodman.

The BarberLeagues Top news from TheFA.com
By David Barber - Tuesday, 01 June, 2010

The superfan’s season ended with Rodney Marsh.

I thought the new Coalition Government would have made it a priority to sort this weather out, but I have to say it was truly appalling on Saturday.

One isn’t exactly spoilt for choice in the last three days of the official season, with most leagues having finished weeks ago, but I was happy to take in a Middlesex County League Premier Division fixture at a new ground. Marsh Rangers were playing Hayes Gate at Rosedale College’s 3G artificial surface in Hayes.

Marsh Rangers were formed in 1980 by QPR supporters. The ‘Marsh’ comes from Rodney Marsh, the Rangers legend who is Club President. They spent the first 20 years of their existence as a Sunday side, playing mostly in the North Hillingdon Sunday League, and have now completed their sixth season at ‘Intermediate’ level.

Watching the first few minutes of Saturday’s game along the touchline was like standing on a ship’s deck in a storm, the raging wind rendering all umbrellas useless. Very quickly there was a special moment, Marsh scoring with the best free-kick I’ve seen all season. There seemed to be no passage of time at all between the player kicking the ball and it stretching the back of the Hayes Gate net.

The sodden crowd – 28 spectators and three enormous dogs – went absolutely barking.

The conditions became so unbearable that many of us retreated to the relative sanctuary of a substantial tree in front of the dressing room area, watching the rest of the half from under its branches. The second half was calmer and the sun even came out for about ten seconds. Marsh (fifth) beat Gate (second) 4-1, though I gather the latter didn’t have their strongest side out.