Marske United progress to NPL Play Off Final

Marske United 2-1AET Shildon
Adam Boyes (77’) Dean Thexton (79’)
Jason Kennedy (113’)

Marske won an early corner courtesy of Liam O’Sullivan winning a 50/50. The corner came in low to Stephen Thompson who’s first time effort was cleared off the line at the back post! The pressure was kept up though via an O’Sullivan long throw but Dale Hopson curled one wide.

Adam Boyes should’ve made it 1-0 on 8 minutes after the ball cannoned off Hopson and left him one on one with Newbrook in the Shildon net. He glanced at the linesman to ensure he wasn’t offside before firing straight at Newbrook who made a good reaction save.

On 18 minutes, Connor Smith drove down the line, skipping past the challenge. He should’ve elected to cross but shot and the ball flew over the bar.

Marske were the better team for the opening half an hour and went close again after Thompson won the ball back following a gut busting run. He then laid into Smith who’s ball into the area found its way to Glen Butterworth but the Marske midfielder hooked his shot wide.

Shildon’s first shot of the game came on 31 minutes when Aiden Heywood beat Hopson before firing into Ryan Catterick’s midriff from close range.

The away side came forward again and a tempting cross to the back post was met by Billy Greulich-Smith who nodded over the bar.

Half time: Marske United 2-1 Shildon

The second half started as a cagey affair, with a drilled Shildon cross asking questioned. It was turned behind before Catterick punched the cross.

Marske then earned a corner after an O’Sullivan throw was dealt with. Gott took a great inswinger and Newbrook flapped at it, earning another corner. Gott again took and it dropped perfectly but Kennedy narrowly missed the ball.

After 58 minutes, Kennedy played the ball into Thompson who in turn gave to Boyes. Boyes was again left with only Newbrook to beat but again the Shildon ‘keeper matched him.

Michael Sweet then gave way for Kurt Matthews. David Atkinson also went off in place of Joe Posthill. Marske were forced into a change with O’Sullivan going off for Curtis Round.

Kennedy went into the book following a very scrappy period.

Marske earned a corner after some great play down the right hand side. Smith beat the keeper but a defender was on hand to clear. Another corner then followed.

The second corner was met by Burgess who had his header blocked and deflected onto the bar. Thompson kept the ball alive and Gott found Boyes at the back post who made no mistake to send Mount Pleasant into raptures.

Almost straight away, Shildon broke. The Marske defence switched off and Greulich-Smith was able to shoot from range. Catterick made a great save from the initial shot before Dean Thexton met the rebound and bundled home.

Joe Posthill then went into the book for a cynical foul on Thompson.

Thompson had the beating of Shildon’s left back all night and only a handball prevented him from putting the ball in. Gott stood over the free kick and Boyes forced Newbrook into a good save to tip over and a corner followed. Gott swung it inward for Burgess to meet at the back post and the ball struck the bar and went over.

Shildon immediately launched into a counter attack and Greulich-Smith nodded a free header behind for a goal kick.

Full time: Marske United 1-1 Shildon

Extra time loomed.

Marske had the opening chance of the first half of extra time as Kennedy danced through the defence before firing wide.

Adam Boyes then got in behind the defence before Newbrook thwarted in for the third time. A corner followed, as did a second one. Marske kept alive and Rio May earned a third corner in quick succession.

Round and Hopson combined well to keep the play alive before Hopson then thread Smith through. His low cross was met by Kennedy and some astute defending that kept the scores level.

Kurt Matthews was then sent off! He dragged back Gott despite already being on a yellow card and was given his second booking. Heywood also earned a yellow card following a cynical tackle on the breaking Round.

Kennedy had a volley saved by Newbrook as Marske pushed for the winner.

10 men Shildon looked content to hold for a draw and Connor Smith got down the line excellently, forcing Newbrook to tip over the bar. The corner came to nothing though.

Half time in extra time: Marske United 1-1 Shildon

Marske again came forward in extra time, with Thompson showing his skill to unleash an effort that Newbrook saved smartly.

The Shildon ‘keeper almost got caught out by a bobble shortly afterward from a long range effort but managed to recover to catch.

James Fairley was then introduced in place of Glen Butterworth.

Round earned Marske a corner. The ball dropped and somehow Shildon managed to clear.

Jason Kennedy put Marske 2-1 up after 111 minutes! A Gott corner was met by him and he made no mistake notching his 4th goal in 4 games.

Joe Wheatley was introduced in place of Dale Hopson with time ticking on.

Connor Smith was then booked for time wasting in the 122nd minute.

Eventually, the ref blew time on the game and Marske emerged with the victory to set up a Teesside derby against Stockton Town.

After the whistle, Will McCamley was sent off for foul and abusive language.

Marske United (4-1-2-1-2): 1 Ryan Catterick, 2 Connor Smith , 3 Liam O'sullivan (Curtis Round 67'), 4 Glen Butterworth (James Fairley 108'), 5 Kevin Burgess, 6 Andrew May, 7 Stephen Thompson, 8 Craig Gott, 9 Adam Boyes, 10 Dale Hopson (Josef Wheatley 116'), 11 Jason Kennedy
Subs: 15 Matty Tymon, 19 Matty Wilkinson

Shildon (4-3-3): 1 Shaun Newbrook, 2 Aidan Heywood , 3 Dominic Curl, 4 David Atkinson (Joe Posthill 64'), 5 Alexander White, 6 Jack Vaulks, 7 Ben Trotter , 8 Chay Liddle, 9 Dean Thexton, 10 Michael Sweet (Kurt Matthews 64’), 11 Billy Greulich-Smith
Subs: 15 Will McCamley, 16 Daniel Moore, 17 Daniel Craggs

Att: 855
MOTM: Stephen Thompson