Marsden FC

 A midweek West Yorkshire league fixture took me to the border town of Marsden, somewhere I had never been before but quite a scenic location. The opposition were Shelley, a team I know quite well from over the years, them having stints in the semi pro game in both the north east counties and north west counties before withdrawing for financial reasons, like a lot of clubs over the past couple of seasons. The good thing is they haven't packed in all together. Marsden fisheries was the stop off for food pre match, however it's been noticable in recent weeks the prices at chip shops has gone through the roof and on both occasions here and at Tadcaster on the way to York, the quality of chips were very poor so I may have to rethink my pre match meals.

The ground is really central with plenty of on road parking just at the side, if able climb the wall or walk round through the car park to the perimeter fence. Given the countryside location I expected to see sheep, but not 3 on the pitch pre match, they stayed within the grounds for duration, hiding in some trees and long grass around the far side. Then, approaching half time, the farmers and the dog were seen chasing 3 different sheep up the road back to the farm, so there had clearly been a mass escape somewhere nearby. Hopefully they all returned safely, although the club probably appreciated the free grass cutting.

The game got going and Shelley were oozing quality, I seem to think they've kept some players with higher league experience, indeed ex Workington and Emley forward Iyrwah Gooden was on the bench. They were ahead, deservedly in the 15th minute with a great run and finish from the right winger who had already been thwarted by a good save. Soon after in the 22nd minute Marsden briefly showed promise, another excellent run down the left wing this time, the cross was missed but retrieved and came to the centre forward who finished emphatically for 1.1 and game on.

In the 35th minute Shelley went ahead once more with a close range header, 2.1 going into the break. Another strange event occurred with the solar eclipse dimming the light but more welcomingly lowering the temperature. Many came out to their balconies in the flats next door to the pitch, to witness this but strangely ignored the football, people in these properties are never football fans.

Just before the hour mark the Shelley number 7 did brilliantly to go past his marker and finished albeit via a deflection for 3.1. Then minutes later on the hour the number 7 found himself central on the end of a long ball and finished for 4.1. A couple of minutes later still they added a fifth from a header from a corner after a good save from the Marsden keeper. To be fair to him he kept the score down throughout with at least 3 or 4 good saves that I can remember.

Seven minutes from the end there was time for a consolation with a close range finish for 5-2. Marsden showing some fight but still massively outclassed in this one.

There is a small bar at the club, managed to get some ice in the plastic cups too which was most welcome, albeit you have to ask if you want ice, despite the mercury being well in the red it wasn't given automatically. They also sell crisps and sweets and came round with a football card to raise funds for the club. Good to see them using their initiative to bring a few quid into the club compared to others at this level.