Early goal secures Marsh cup success

BD3 Utd Res 0

By Ben Morgan

MARSH FC lifted the Wilf Ward Memorial Trophy after overcoming Bradford’s BD3 United Reserves in a nervy final.

The win was the start of an important 48 hours for the club, who went on to finish second in Spen Valley League Division One on Monday evening.

Last Saturday’s final, at Littletown’s Beck Lane, was sealed within the first two minutes.

Following early Marsh pressure, the ball was lifted into the area.

A scramble ensued, before defender Andrew Shingleton bundled the ball in from close range.

Marsh should have used the early goal to kick on but failed to finish their chances.

During the first half, centre forward Mark Wigley was at the centre of Marsh’s attacking moves and caused BD3’s centre backs all manner of problems.

Wigley was sent clear on 20 minutes after a latching on to a lifted ball over the BD3 defence, but failed to find the net after firing straight at goalkeeper Farhan Bashir.

Six minutes later, Wigley beat the BD3 defence again, but his shot was well covered by Bashir.

Towards the end of the first half, BD3 played their way back into the game with winger Ishaq Mohammed causing all sorts of problems for Marsh’s back line.

By half-time, Marsh were clearly the better side but their failure to finish their chances threatened to haunt them after the restart.

BD3 tried to use width to stretch Marsh centre backs Shingleton and Andrew Milner, but failed to put away the chances that came their way.

Marsh had two shots cleared off the line in quick succession, one just as the ball looked certain to creep in under the crossbar.

Despite this, Marsh ultimately held out for the hard-fought win and deservedly lifted the trophy.