Marshfield Junior FC

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Marshfield 3 - Trowbridge Wanderers 1 (Cup Game - 3rd Round)

Scorers: Sam (pen), Nick (2)

Man of Match: Nick

A cup game, a new kit, and a team we have never beaten after three attempts on a cold day.  After the pretty kit lady Nicola arrived with the new black and white kit it was clear the boys couldn't wait to get it dirty and some even managed this before the game.  Constant first half pressure from Marshfield resulted in corner after corner but in a packed penalty box it was very difficult to make this count.  Trowbridge were well organised and were getting to grips with defending well.  With orange defenders sat back so deep we had no real opportunities to get behind them to create chances and it took a penalty to bring about the only real opportunity of the first half after a trip on Jake.  With Sam having scored the previous penalty he stepped up and slotted the ball calmly home for the lead.  This spurred Trowbridge on and it didn't take them long to get back into the game with an excellent finish that left Harry with no chance as it rebounded in off of the post.  Game on.

The second half started off just as tight and both teams were having to defend well to block and prevent shots, but ultimately the goal keepers didn't have a lot of work to do.  With five minutes left Nick Harris was brought back on to liven up the game.  He immediately got to work and after some good defensive work went off to find some space up front.  With some swift passing through midfield Jake ran down the wing and drove a low cross across the six yard line and under enormous pressure from the oncoming defender Nick smashed the ball home bravely.  Can Marshfield hang on?  Almost immediately afterwards we attacked again and Charlie worked the ball wide for Sam to recreate a swirling run down the right wing.  He was expected to shoot but instead looked up and crossed the ball back to Charlie who smashed his shot into the goalkeeper.  Like all good strikers, Nick followed in the shot and the net was bulging one more.

Marshfield 3, Trowbridge 1.

Marshfield 2 - Westbury 1

Scorers: Akito, Sam

Man of Match: Oscar

It was difficult to know how this game would go as we had never played Westbury.  They had a good track record against good teams but had some unpredictable results against others.  From the start Marshfield put them under pressure and fortunately scored an early goal after Akito kept on running at (or was it through?) the defence.  It seemed to roll under the goalie and slowly across the line.  This was just what the boys needed as they were now up for it.  Shortly afterwards Nick made a break down the left and sped into the box.  Just as he was trying to shoot his ankles were clipped and down he went.  All eyes were on the referee and Bills long arm pointed straight to the spot.  With Nick hobbling back to position up stepped Sam to cooly slot home the ball insidet the right post like a German world cup player.  Much of the first half continued in the same vein and it was looking like Marshfield could have a comfortable win.  I spoke to soon.  As soon as the second half started it was clear that Westbury were going to put us under attack and this they did on a number of occassions.  James, Bradley and Adam through themselves in front of goal and Harry was looking like it would take something special to beat him.  That's what he got.  A hard shot powered over his head and into the net for a Westbury goal.  Game on.  It is probably fair to say that Marshfield hung on and both teams were very closely matched throughout the rest of the second half.  A well deserved win and the confidence of the team was now growing.

Thank you Bill for being ref.

Trowbridge Wanderers B 1 - Marshfield 1

Scorers: Matt

Man of Match: Joint winners James & Charlie

This was a very close game.  With no subs it was going to be tough for the boys and we knew that Trowbridge were getting better and better as a team the more the season went on.  The line-up of Harry, Damien, James, Matt, Bradley (captain), Charlie and Sam was going to give them a test and it was a team that we knew would work hard.

Marshfield got off to a great start after some good work by Damien at the back created an attack for Charlie.  The shot went into a crowded penalty area and was clipped home by Matt for his fourth goal of the season and second in two games.  From that point on the match was full of chances both ends and Harry came to the rescue of Marshfield on several occassions with some quite stunning and brave goalkeeping.  He is looking more and more comfortable with the ball every time he plays.  Trowbridge scored from a free kick that was smashed into the net after a slight deflection off the wall leaving Harry with no chance.  Heads could have dropped, but in true Marshfield style they battled on and on until the end and both teams had chances to win the game before the end.  However, the referee called an end to the match and a draw was a fair result for both teams.

Chippenham Town Youth Blue 1 - Marshfield 6 (cup game - 2nd Round)

Man of Match: Bradley

Scorers: Jake (2), Sam (2), Bradley, Matt

This was our second ever cup game and we were not sure how well we would do against a Chippenham team that had held us to a draw last season.  It was also probably one of the worst weather conditions we have ever played in and both teams did very well to compete against the strong winds.  In the end the attacking pressure of the boys proved too much for a brave opponent who kept going until the end and still left the pitch with smiles on their faces.  Jake was superb in midfield and if the game had lasted any longer would have certainly secured a hat-trick.  Sam also seemed to cover every blade of grass as always and one of his goals was lashed into the bottom left corner like a true professional.

It was a game that everyone could get involved in.  Bradley scored his first ever goal for the team, despite smashing the ball against the cross bar in the first half.  Matt belted home a half volley, Damien pressed hard down the left and Adam and James made sure everything was cleared up at the back.  Akito responded to every save required (he had no chance for their fine goal) and Charlie moved the ball around well in midfield.

A game well controlled by the referee with yet again some fine passing moves by a team now growing in confidence.  Three wins on the bounce.  Well done everyone.

Marshfield 6 - Mere Town 1

Man of Match: Jake

Scorers: Jake (3), Sam (2), Akito

We clicked.  Sometimes the boys are up for it and some times they are not.  This was the day when every player knew what they had to do and did brilliantly.  Starting at the back Oscar was tipping shots around the post, diving at peoples feet and yelling at the defence to stay organised.  Louis and Damien were never out of position and the timing of their tackles were crucial throughout, I lost count of how many times they blocked a cross with a last gasp lunge.  Jake, Sam and Akito in midfield initially looked like they could be too keen on attack to support the defence, but they managed to get themselves organised and passed the ball magnificently between them.  There was no hit and hope here, every single pass looked for another Marshfield player and more often than not it found them.  With Nick leading the line there was always a pass on due to the mazy runs he was making and the space he was creating as we used the full width of the pitch well.  The pressure from the whole team was simply too great and there was no way we were going to be beaten, however well Mere played, and they did play well.  Harry and Charlie came on just after half time and slotted straight into the speed of the game, with both coming close with firm shots from the edge of the area.  Ultimately though, this game came down to finishing.  Mere brought with them a very good goalkeeper but there was only so many times he could stop us.  Akito was always a threat and he was never going to stop working until he got that goal and it came early in the first half from a strong right footed strike.  Jake was awesome and is learning to combine fast and twisting runs with well placed shots or passes.  With three well taken goals and the match ball to take home with the Man of the Match award this was a good day out, well done.  Sam also put in a captain's performance often running the whole length of the pitch either to support an attack or his defence. His tackles were firm but fair and his touch on the ball to evade the opposition delicate.  Two excellent finishes wrapped up a superb performance.  Well done everbody.

Referee: Matt Cox

Trowbridge Youth C 1 - Marshfield 3

Man of Match: Damien

Scorers: Jake, Charlie, Sam

Judging by the mood the boys were in during the pre-match training it was not going to be a game that would start well.  No-one was concentrating!  Instead, early in the game Jake darted past two players to smash a shot onto the cross-bar to prove that this coach is incapable of predicting the play!  Jake was looking like it was going to be his game and this pattern continued throughout the match with an enormous amount of effort and every time he got the ball he looked a serious threat.  Harry once again did everything asked of him in goal and Damien showed maturity beyond his years with very well timed runs, tackles and clearances - an intelligent football player in the making.  Stand in defenders Matt & Louis supported James well in the absence of Adam and their red cheeks showed they could not have put any more effort into their performance.  Charlie was back to his best and distributed the ball well and deserved his goal later in the game with an instinctive drive following a loose ball.  This came either side of excellent goals from Jake and Sam; Jake went on yet another strong run after some great passing out of defence and fired low and hard into the net to put Marshfield into the lead.  With Charlies goal the game looked like ours for the taking but in true Marshfield style we conceeded a slightly sloppy goal to a battling Trowbridge.  A nervous ending?  It could have been but the boys responded with a positive attacking style of football that forced Trowbridge further back with some very effective passing by Bradley, Sam, Charlie and Jake in front of a confident defence.  A pass from defence looked like it would fall at the feet of the Trowbridge defender until Sam squeezed in a delicate toe to nudge it around the back enabling him to run onto the loose ball for a simple but well taken finish.  A very good demonstration of what the team can do and well done to Damien who narrowly beat Jake to the Man of The Match award.

Dilton Rovers 1 - Marshfield 0

Man of Match:Akito

This was a game that cannot easily be described without accusations of a biased report.  Dilton played well, defended tightly and kept out an assertive Marshfield team by always seeming to be in the way.  The shots that went past the defence also went past the post and nothing came of the strong pressure throughout the first half with Akito doing next to nothing in goal.  The second half was more of the same except this time we spread the ball around much much better and this resulted in more runs down the wing and crosses into the penalty area for Nick, Jake or Sam.  Frustratingly we had plenty of chances but didn't quite manage to take them and were hanging on the other end from quick breaks where Dilton hit the post twice.  Frustratingly a deflected free kick found the back of the net five minutes from time and we walked off the pitch only guilty of only failing to find the net.  A good team performance and an unfortunate result.

Marshfield 18 - Avebury 1 (Cup Game 1st Round)

Sam (6), Nick (5), Jake (3), Matt (2), Oscar (1),o.g.

The scoreline does all the talking and the goals were going in at the rate of one every two minutes.  The decision to offer a football to the scorer of a hat-trick didn't take into consideration matches like this, so well done to Sam for winning the ball for the first hat-trick of the game.  A phenominal performance from everyone in the team, including a cracking save from Akito in goal for the first time, proof that Avebury kept battling to the end.  A special mention to the Avebury players and coaches who took the result on the chin and kept their heads held high - that's something special in itself.  Well done everyone.

Marshfield 1 - Derry Hill 2

Goal scored by Jake.

After going in front from a goal by Jake it looked like Marshfield would go on and win well.  However, Derry got back in the game and with five minutes to go stole the winner with a well taken free kick that crashed in off the under side of the bar.  Marshfield rode the luck of the Russian Linesman when the ball appeared to cross the line, but the goal was not given.

Castle Combe 1 - Marshfield 1, attendance: 21 & 2 dogs

Goal scored by Nick, Man of the Match: Adam

It goes without saying that we were not sure how we would fair against a well respected team that had thumped Dilton Rovers 6-1 the week before and it was apparent from the players that they weren't expecting much from the game. A very strong side was fielded and within five minutes it was clear that both teams were pretty closely matched and capable of playing good football. The first break came ten minutes into the game as Castle Combe hit a hard shot following an attacking throw that was too well placed for Oscar. Goal! The real test was now to come, were the boys going to allow their heads to drop? They should never have been doubted. The response from the whole team from that point onwards proved to be the best ten minutes of football Marshfield have ever played. Damien and Adam never once stopped concentrating and were often first to the ball and the hardest players to beat on the pitch. The midfield of Jake, Akito & Sam created space for each other with some fine pass and move type football that ended with a break into the box by new starter Akito, evenutally leading to a penalty. Cool headed Nick Harris stepped up and unusually for him placed his shot firmly at the keeper who saved well. Fortunately, only two minutes later Akito broke through again to release a pass to Sam. With his back to goal Sam softly rolled back the ball to the oncoming Nick who smashed his shot into the top right hand corner of the goal. An exciting moment and up there in the top 5 of Marshfield's best team goals.

At half time the boys now knew they were capable of winning the game and were uplifted by the goal and their performance. The second half remained a close affair and both teams had opportunities to score, although to be fair Castle Combe had more of the attacking play. Adam was clear winner of the man of the match award and it was hard to find one thing that he did wrong in the whole game - superb! Thankfully, typically brave Oscar and his defence held together well and with support from James, Charlie, Jake and the others managed to block, tackle and head their way out of trouble time and time again until eventually the referee blue the whistle. A thoroughly entertaining match and an excellent performance from Marshfield that hopefully the boys can be build on.

Marshfield Junior 3 - Melksham Robins 4

Goals scored by Damien (2), Jake

The season got under way with the team playing together for the first time in several months and we welcomed new starters Matt and Bradley. We had played Melksham before at a tournament and after our 1-1 draw we were expecting a close match. Harry started in goal, giving Oscar a chance to play in an outfield position, and Damien was also given more attacking responsibilities. We are known as slow starters and nothing could emphasise this more than a goal within sixty seconds by Melksham as a quick break caught the team napping. In typical style however we bounced back and after a twisting run by Jake past three players he smashed home a low drive into the corner to level the game. Exactly what we practice in training, well done Jake. Melksham continued to press and the game went end to end as both goal keepers were asked to make saves if the defenders were not able to cope. Harry smothered the ball on a number of occassions and showed his rugby skills catching a few high balls as well. Each time Melksham scored we managed to get back in the game. Damien scored his first goal of the season after a six man passing move created a goal mouth scramble. As the ball fell loose Damien followed up on the goalkeepers save with a left footed drive into the net for his first ever goal for Marshfield. At 3-2 down the game was running out of time when Marshfield broke again following some good work by midfield creating an attack. Damien again passed his man and just managed to get the outside of his foot onto the ball to spin it into the inside of the post for what looked like the equaliser. Sadly, despite a lot of running and five consecutive corners for Melksham, the ball broke lose for the final attack of the game and their striker buried the ball past the keeper for the winner. A good game played with a great spirit all round.

Thanks Matt Cox for an excellent job as ref.

Man of Match: Harry