On a wet, cold, & windy afternoon, Marsh Rangers F.C. had heard that they had gone joint top with the withdrawal of North Kensington. That was where the good news stopped !!!
As their cars drove into the CAR PARK !!!! < I think perhaps not. It was an uneven, flooded, excuse for one. The skys opened and somehow you just knew that it might not be our day. The changing rooms were 1/2 mile away in one direction, whilst the patch - sorry pitch we were expected to play on was also about 1/2 mile away..... in the other direction.
The pitch was not only covered in geese but most was covered in goose s--t. It was well below the standards & lengths set out as a minimum for Premier Clubs. It was inside a running track so couldn’t be made any bigger. There was a sort of stand for the track but how the League had inspected this and passed it as a Premier Division Stadium is totally unknown. I suggest perhaps THIS ground had NOT been visited. This was indeed a Culture Shock for the “Young Bloods" of Marsh Rangers F.C., and one that they never really recovered from. We do not expect Wembley Stadium, but a few basics are not too much to expect. Well done to Stonewall on their win but they seemed used to these conditions. When people complain about the artificial surface perhaps we should offer them here !!!!!! I think not.
The match got under way and Marsh seemed hesitant in their play, with Stonewall much better. Marsh raised their game but could not really trouble the Stonewall keeper. Stonewall gained the majority of corners and shots at goal, but on the whole didn’t really trouble Marsh. Suddenly, after around 35 minutes, a long shot from Stonewall ended up in the Marsh net, and so continued the Marsh Nightmare.
It stayed this was until half time, and manager Dave tried to change a few things around but Players minds seemed on other matters !! Probably one thought was “how much longer have we got to stay out here ?" Anyway, Marsh lined up for the second half. Very soon after the whistle Marsh were 2 down ! A Stonewall shot on the turn flew into the net. Marsh started to get it a little together and won a penalty. YES ... we missed it. or to do the keeper justice he saved it. Before Marsh had time to muster another attack Stonewall were 3 up. PAUL NOLAN pulled one back for Marsh from close in, then Stonewalls keeper caught the ball outside his area stopping us a scoring opportunity. Although he objected strongly, he was dismissed. BUT never mind ... it affected nothing, in fact Stonewall still found time to score another against a fed up Marsh side looking to go home. Once again All Credit to Stonewall but this patch, sorry pitch, is not the standard the League should be looking for.
Reported by Clive Goodman.