Steady controlled play earns the reward for Crowmarsh

Crowmarsh came into this game knowing they would be up against tough opposition, with both games between the two teams the previous season ending in draws. Marston Saints started off the brighter of the sides, going on the offensive from the kick-off, but Crowmarsh’s defence held firm. Crowmarsh had to wait until the 5th minute for their first chance, a great corner from the right by Sam Beaumont went straight across the box but none of his team-mates could manage to get the final touch.

The next few minutes was end-to-end stuff but both defences held firm, Crowmarsh’s Sam Hazell and Hayden Whitehouse-Lloyd both making vital tackles and crucial clearances. Half-way through the first half Ed Seares broke through on one of his many surging runs, only to be denied by a great save from Marston’s keeper. This boosted Crowmarsh’s confidence and they spent the next 10 minutes camped inside the opposition’s half, but were unable to make the pressure pay with a goal. They were to regret this on 25 minutes, as Martson Saints broke away, playing the ball through to Gabriel Harkin who closed in on the keeper before hitting a great left-foot shot just inside the post, 1-0 to Marston Saints.

This was the first time Crowmarsh had been behind this season and their supporters were wondering how they would respond – they didn’t have to wait long to find out. Within 30 seconds of the restart Sam Beaumont received the ball out on the right and ran at the Marston defence before striking the ball beautifully from 18 yards past the outstretched hand of the despairing keeper. This was the last real action of the half so the teams went into the break with the score a draw – a familiar situation.

The second half started very much like the first, with Marston Saints launching an attack on the Crowmarsh goal, but the forward saw his shot go just wide. Crowmarsh then started to find their rhythm and in the 35th minute Dylan Harrison had a great shot saved by the keeper and Sam Beaumont put the ball in the back of the net, only to see it ruled out for offside. Again the pressure from Crowmarsh failed to produce a goal and it seemed like it was going to be a case of déjà vu when Marston saints broke through, but Lewis Ward in the Crowmarsh goal came racing out to close the attacker down, forcing him to put his shot just wide.

With 15 minutes to go the score was still 1-1 but this was all about to change! On 45 minutes Ed Seares won the ball off a Marston Saints defender before racing through on goal and although the keeper got a hand to his shot he couldn’t prevent it going over the line, 2-1 to Crowmarsh. Undeterred, Marston Saints hit straight back but were thwarted thanks to great defending by Joe Morrison. With 5 minutes left George Walkey made a great run before laying the ball off to Ed Seares, his cross flew across the front of the Marston goal but Sam Beaumont was agonisingly just inches away from finishing it off. With 2 minutes left Ed Seares finally put the game out of Marston’s reach, winning the ball then running half the length of the pitch before keeping his composure to calmly slot the ball into the Marston goal – but he wasn’t finished yet! One minute later he was breaking down the right before poking the ball under the keeper – 4-1 to Crowmarsh and a great hat-trick for Ed Seares.

This was the last action of the game and although it had looked for a while like it was heading for yet another stalemate, Crowmarsh’s determination and attacking flair paid off in the end with them finishing deserved winners. Well done lads!