Marsh travelled over to the East London area for this match against also high flying Interwood F.C.
Interwood were, and still are, a youth training Club but have now developed a more senior side. They can proudly boast Kieran Richardson (England & Sunderland), Jay Simpson (Arsenal), Fitz Hall (Q.P.R), Mark Wright (Tottenham), Al Bangora (Watford), Danny Bailey (Torquay Utd, Reading, & Fulham), Les Sealey (too many to mention but include.... Luton, Manchester Utd., Aston Villa, etc., and ........ Terry Hurlock (West Ham, Brentford, Millwall, Glasgow Rangers, Southampton, Fulham, etc.) as all coming through their youth ranks over the years.
Today the fixture was played on a far below Premier League standard pitch. To mention just one point ...... One half was 51 yards. long whilst the other half was 56 yards ??????? All being said and noted, their Team are good.. They try to play good football with excellent overlapping skills and you can easily see where the “Soccer School Academy" comes into it.
Having said that ..... What of the SuperHoops Marsh ? Still on the learning curve but playing some beautiful to watch football. We are not quite there yet, as previously stated, but today showed we are well on the way . One up after 21 minutes. Daniel Lobjoit found Alex Henderson on the wing who centred, and JACK BIGWOOD finished well . Totally against the run of play, on 35 minutes, a defensive mix up allowed Interwood to score from close range. Although both sides now played some sweet football neither could add to the score before half time
Early in the second half, Marsh lost the ball out wide. It was played inside and a second goal was recorded for Interwood. They then dominated much of the play, without being able to get through the Marsh defence led by Craig Drew, who again had an excellent match & Phil Tubb as reliable as ever. On the rare occasion they did break through Keeper Spencer Brown was once again in confident mood. Steve Cloherty, just back in the side, showed more of his old (young !!!) self and put in a sterling performance. Nice One Steve !!! Another player just back from injury was Jonny Wiggins, who would have found this a very useful Welcome Back match. Daniel Lobjoit was outstanding in perhaps the “Best Match of the Season" so far, amongst so many fine performances from both sides. Half way through the half Marsh were deservedly level. A cross by Cloherty & Wiggins into the Interwood area was finished off with deadly accuracy by marksman MAT MONHON. With Interwood now reeling Marsh struck the winner. Yet another fine pass by Steve Cloherty allowed substitute Super BRADLEY GRANT to show his true worth by racing clear of the Interwood defence, and blasting the ball past the advancing keeper for the third. Marsh now shut up shop to see out the rest of the match . Having said that ..... 3 minutes into stoppage time Interwood broke free and raced onto the Marsh goal . A certain goal ,looked on the cards to level the match but keeper Spencer Brown made an unbelievable save to award Marsh the points.
Both sides can expect a very good season on these performances .
Reported by Clive Goodman.