FA Vase Second Qualifying Round 21 September 2013

MARSKE UNITED V KNARESBOROUGH TOWN

Today we are at Mount Pleasant (currently labelled the GER Stadium) for a look at Marske United who are flying, unbeaten in the Northern League division 1 and already through 4 rounds of the Cup and Vase. Marske is a pretty little town on the East Cleveland coast and the family friendly ground echoes it; on entering there is a mown grassy bank, flowerbeds and refreshment trailer, with a goal net off to one side for lads and dads to kick into. Good value too at £2.50 entry (concession) and a meaty programme for a pound.

It’ a lovely day at the seaside, blue sky behind high clouds, warm with a pleasant breeze blowing down the flat, well grassed pitch. There are just three rows of covered seats and a couple of covered standing areas; with no spectator area more than 10 yards from the pitch it will be up close and personal with the players.

The visitors, in red shirts and black shorts, are Knaresborough Town from the second level of the Northern Counties East League, one step below their hosts whose strip consists of yellow shirts and blue shorts.

After an initial flurry from Knaresborough it is Marske that have the majority of possession and they pose the first goal threat when Butterworth sets MacDonald away down the right; his high and deep cross is headed by centre half Wheatley, on an excursion up front, but straight at keeper Dight.

Knaresborough’s threat is on the break with centre forward Heath camped on the shoulder of the last defender. After two offside decisions it pays off when a 1-2 with Whitehead puts him clear on goal, only for a back-rushing defender to make a desperate lunge from behind to clatter Heath but get a toe to the ball and concede a corner. A good outcome for Marske as it could quite easily been a penalty and down to 10 men. Predictably the visiting fans reckon the ref bottled it and from then on is labelled a “homer”.

Marske’s next attempt comes from right back Crossen who cuts in and thumps a left footer just over the bar; his opposite number Thomas goes one better with a Knaresborough free kick from 35 yards that whistles straight and hard and just a tad high, even so keeper Dean plays safe and tips it over for a corner.

As the half progresses Marske centre forward Alexander gets more into the action. First a Crossen interception gives him a chance from the edge of the box and though his shot is low and hard, Dight goes full stretch to push it past the post. Then he combines again with Crossen only to see the latter’s shot blocked. Finally as the half expires he is at the right place at the right time as the ball is cut back for MacDonald to fire a first time shot into the crowded penalty area; Alexander coolly diverts the ball with a side foot volley into the net from 6 yards.

Knaresborough are disappointed not to have held on until half time but are immediately back under pressure. Stansfield ploughs through the back of Alexander to concede a free kick and finally earn a booking; then Dight has to fist clear a corner from underneath his bar and recover to dive and gather the following cross at the foot of the near post.

A half time lead slightly flatters Marske who have made hard work of it, or have been made to work hard, depending on your point of view. As the half wore on their midfield pair of Gott and Butterworth took increased control, particularly as their colleague Johnston has occupied Knaresborough’s assistant manager and midfield general, Stansfield, in a physical battle that both clearly relish. Knaresborough’s chief threat is from balls over or behind the Marske back four with Heath and Wright both looking dangerous and both feeling aggrieved with some of the methods, unchecked by the referee, used to stop them.

Both teams are out and lined up early and stand bemused as the referee and assistants fail to appear for 2 or 3 minutes. When the second half does get underway it is Knaresborough that have early efforts. Heath wins the ball, turns ad shoots wide from well out then one of left back Radcliffe’s long throws is punched off the line by Dean. From the resulting corner centre half Lenehan gets a header in but Dean is able to gather it at the foot of the post.

This one goal lead is looking fragile for Marske, but the substitution of the influential Stansfield gives some relief. When Butterworth is fouled 20 yards out on the right, it is left back O’Sullivan who comes over to take the free kick. His left footer is up and over the wall and into the net before Dight can get anywhere near it.

More substitutions are made and Marske look a bit more comfortable at 2-0. Alexander wins the ball in the corner and drives along the bye line, but his shot is saved. From the cleared corner Butterworth shoots, but again Dight saves. From a soft free kick Johnston, no longer tied up with Stansfield, puts a header just over.

But Knaresborough are not rolling over just yet, some pressure leads to the Marske defence creating uncharacteristic havoc in their own goalmouth that eventually requires the ball to be cleared off the line. Then battling work by right back Thomas, epitomising his own faultless performance, provides a shooting opportunity for Whitehead, who hits it wide.

Marske respond as Johnston puts Butterworth through on goal; his shot is knocked back to him by Dight but the midfielder can only put the rebound over the bar. Back up the other end a couple of set plays threaten; but Dean finally catches one of Radcliffe’s long throws, and then a free kick bobbles about in the Marske box before a skied shot ends the danger.

The hard fought match ends 2-0, and though Knaresborough go off still grumbling about the early penalty shout they will probably concede the home team just edged the play and scored a couple of good goals. Marske continue their unbeaten season and can look forward to featuring further in A Good Cup Run.