Match Report
Hackenthorpe Juniors 2; Earl Marshall JFC 4
Sheffield & District Junior Sunday League – Trophy Semi Final
Birley Community College
Earl Marshall secured their place in their second successive Trophy final with another solid team performance against promotion rivals Hackenthorpe Juniors.
Both sides made a confident start on the heavy playing surface but well organised defending at both ends meant that it wasn’t until the 6th minute that the first serious threat on goal came, with Dominic (MH) puling off a fine full stretch save to deny Hackenthorpe from close range. Two minutes later Earl Marshall broke with Aaron sending a great through ball to Elijah. Elijah ran towards goal and looked certain to score but saw his shot tipped wide by the Hackenthorpe keeper. The near miss seemed to be the signal for Earl Marshall to up the tempo and they started to look more dangerous, taking advantage of the wide pitch with some threatening play from Kenan and Edwin in wide positions.
In the 13th minute Kenan delivered an excellent cross from the right bye-line and Elijah, unmarked at the back post, slotted the ball in from close range (1-0). Despite conceding a goal Hackenthorpe still looked dangerous and Lahkem and Adam, had to remain focused as they worked together to deal with the runs and through balls from midfield.
Late on in the half another important save from Dominic saw Earl Marshall hold onto their lead – it was a reminder that the tie was far from over. A second Earl Marshall goal in the 30th minute settled the nerves before half time. This time Elijah provided the cross and Aaron was on hand to chip the ball over the keeper, the ball hit the underside of the bar and crossed the line. There were protests from Hackenthorpe but the referee was in a good position and the goal was given (HT 2-0). With just one home defeat all season Hackenthorpe were still very much in the tie and they made a confident start to the second half. A shot just wide in the second minute was a reminder to Earl Marshall that they would have to put in another effective defensive display to deny the home side. Two minutes later Hackenthorpe pulled a goal back after some goalmouth indecision by Earl Marshall. The goal lifted Hackenthorpe who now went in search of the equaliser. Earlier in the season Earl Marshall might have been unsettled but their recent run of fine team Performances, with just 1 goal conceded, showed them capable of defending their lead with the midfield tracking back to close down players and make key challenges. Having coped with the threat Earl Marshall reestablished their 2 goal advantage in the 13th minute when Elijah received the ball out on the right and sent in a neat cross for Aaron to turn in from close range (3-1).
A minute after the restart and Hackenthorpe were again denied by Dominic who punched clear from a corner. It wasn’t until the 29th minute that the game was finally put beyond Hackenthorpe, and once again it was Elijah using his pace to get out into a wide position on the right who delivered the cross. The ball found Joe, who saw his shot blocked, but Seymour was on hand to fire the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box. As the game went into extra time Hackenthorpe, who had always looked threatening from corners, found the net, but it proved to be a consolation goal. The final whistle was greeted with predictable celebrations with Earl Marshall’s run of form giving them a real chance of silverware this season.
Coaches’ Man of the Match: Seymour Turner
Mick A