Jarrow Crusaders 2 - 0 Marden CW

Marsden played Jarrow Crusaders at The Bents following a week of torrential rain saw Hedworthfield CA unplayable. The pitches down The Bents were not much better in all honesty as the grass become mud even after the warm ups. Adam Brown returned to the squad, although Mason Armour was running late so missed the team selection to be in the starting 11. The regular theme of the season continued with a host of players missing; Gavin McDonald, Jordan Larkin, Konnor Grech, Dayne Hunter, Jon Peart & Stuart Simpson. This saw Stuart Bond and Paul Tomlin having to get stripped.

Marsden went 4-5-1 with Adam Brown playing centre half, Paul Storey moving forward into midfield with Ashton Defty the lone striker. Mason Armour, Stuart Bond and Paul Tomlin were on the bench. The game was predictably as battle as it was so difficult to play any football. Marsden were dealt a blow after just 1 minute as Gareth Adams pulled up with a groin injury and was replaced by Stuart Bond. Jarrow controlled the first half as Marsden found it difficult to get out of their own half. Kieran Garrick had a superb game at right back and was complimented by the ever consistent Sam Went. Adam Brown was also very good as Marsden held firm until the 44th minute when Jarrow took the lead, 1-0.

It was a bad time to concede but Marsden regrouped at the break and brought on Mason Armour for Stuart Bond to try and give a more attacking presence to the game. Ashton Defty dropped into the number 10 role and looked more effective getting on the ball more regularly. Marsden started to have some shots during the second period and were unlucky through Sam Went and Mason Armour. Unfortunately Jarrow played a corner into the area that Marsden didn't deal with and the ball just crossed the line after bouncing into a puddle, 2-0.

Marsden continued to work hard with Paul Storey flying all over the pitch, and the heads of the lads never went down as they pressed for a goal that just wouldn't come. Michael Pittuck and Corey Welsh covered every inch of the pitch and will no doubt have tired legs tonight.

The game ended 2-0 and the pitch was left in some state.

Only 3 games left for the lads and with no game next week, Marsden entertain Nook United on Sunday, 25th February.

MOM - Paul Storey