Division One
FC Ealing Assyrians 1 Marsh Rangers 1
Saturday, 22 March 2003
A close match was expected , and a close match it was .
Both sides set out their stalls to attack , and a " jolly good game " followed . Neither side was willing to allow the other much , space and both sides closed the other down quickly .Marsh started with a 3 rd different person as keeper in their last 3 matches . This time Tony Dowding wore the gloves . He was protected by Martin Campbell , Scott Aley , and debutant Paul Hine . They knew they would have their work cut out early on , as Assyrians almost scored with their first attack . Marsh countered , and Peter Muller drove a shot just wide . Paul Archbold came close with a couple of efforts , and Shaine Thomson
continually caused problems to the Assyrian defence . Assyrians always looked dangerous but rarely looked like beating a stubborn Marsh defence . Then , Marsh contributed to their own downfall when a defender took a poor goal kick and was guilty of not following the ball out quickly enough . An Assyrian forward received the ball from his midfield , was played on side by
the slowly advancing defender, and found himself in a large space . He played it forward to a colleague , with a strong suspicion this time of off side , who made no mistake with the finish . Marsh's appeals came to nothing and the goal stood . Marsh again pressed forward but the equaliser wouldn't come before half time . Rob Manning & Adam Ashby tried hard to work the wings but little came of it , and both were often forced back to defend .
The second half started much better for Marsh and Chris Ranson & Matthew Hoyle started to win the battle for midfield superiority . Adam Ashby started to find space down the right wing , and Shaine Thomson caused even more problems to the Assyrian defence . Marsh got theirreward when a cross was not dealt with cleanly by the Assyrian keeper , under pressure from Shaine Thomson , and MATTHEW HOYLE was on hand to force the ball home .Adam Ashby continued to elude tackles and supply a number of excellent crosses which the Assyrian defence somehow managed to keep out of their net . A cynical foul on
Shaine Thomson went almost unpunished but showed how Marsh were now starting to gain control . Badly shaken , but showing spirit , Thomson was determined to continue . Marsh added Tony Heath to the forward line , and his first touch of the ball was a headed attempt at goal , followed by a close range effort that bobbled just before he kicked it , and it flew over the crossbar . With time running out , Shaine Thomson raced down the wing and cut the ball back . Tony Heath met it on the volley and the ball flew into the net .
CONTROVERSY ....The Assyrian linesman then raised his flag ???? and everybody looked to see what the Referee would give . The Referee , surrounded by players , then said he had blown for full time . He said he had blown before the ball entered the net ....... Strange , as neither side , nor the people on either touchline , had heard it . Oh Well ....... that's football .
Marsh are now still in second place , 2 points behind Southall Town , with a game in hand .Marsh Rangers meet Southall Town on Saturday 12th April 2003 , at Harlington .
Clive Goodman ............ Marsh Rangers F.C.
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