2nd in the table Hayes Gate played 3rd in the table Marsh Rangers in the semi-final of the Premier Cup. They still have to play each other another 3 times this season.
Hayes didn’t take long to take a quick lead. In fact only 5 minutes had passed before the ball was being picked out from the Marsh net. Marsh looked very unsteady and against a team of the calibre of Hayes all looked bad. Marsh did get better and had a few flurries at the Hayes goal without ever looking too dangerous. Every time Hayes attacked it was like a blitzkrieg, with Marsh holding on. Suddenly a ball was floated into the Marsh area and amidst a number of players a Marsh arm was raised to knock the ball on !!!!!!!!! After amazed thoughts by a number of players the Referee correctly gave a Penalty. This was converted to give Hayes a 2 – 0 lead. Marsh were not in the match. Miles Wiggins was trying to push the team forward, and along with Craig Drew and Harry Thomas worked hard to keep the score line at half time to 2 – 0.
The second half saw Steve Cloherty enter the field as replacement for injured Craig Drew while Mat Monhon was also introduced to the play. Marsh at least began to look like a team but did not really trouble Hayes at all. Still Alex Henderson, and Jack Bigwood hardly received the ball out on the wings. Jack Bigwood did come inside to volley a superb effort into the Hayes net but had it ruled out for pushing an opponent first. Shortly after this, Hayes broke away and scored a third. Marsh looked like collapsing but managed to hold firm and late on BRADLEY GRANT scored a stunner of a goal looping the ball over the advancing Hayes keeper to at least add a cosmetic looking scoreline. The last few minutes probably belonged to Marsh but it was far too little too late.
Another Semi-Final defeat this season for Marsh Rangers F.C.
Reported by Clive Goodman.