Marshall Park FC 2-1 Republica FC
6th September 2025
After a long awaited summer our 1st game of the new Football season kicked off yesterday in the Leeds Community Football League
1st half the game didn’t have much to write about apart from Marshall Park was on top of the game creating a few but not too many chances. Our Keeper Christian having very Little to do. There was opportunity for Marshall to score from an excellent corner put in by Matthew Judd for Seth Nothers to attack to get his header towards goal with Kieran Liam Yaffe 2yards out flicking it towards goal for keeper to flap at it for defender on line to try clear the ball. For it to land at Marks feet for him to striker the ball to again be cleared off the goal line by one of Republicas players. Just seemed the ball was in the air majority of the time than actually on the floor in the 1st half….
Half time 0-0
Second half starts and Marshall park are in control. Ball finally on the floor and some nice passing between midfield and defense. Republica are well drilled and compact making it difficult to break them down. Marshall Parks center-backs are controlling the ball playing into Chris Hargreaves in midfield who then plays it out to Judd. Nothing on that time so Marshall recycle. Ball is played about a bit more avoiding the press, Judd receives it again this time he’s under pressure and manages to lift the ball over the defender into the path of Shaun Jackson. Shaun with his back to goal here’s a shout from Mark and Shaun plays it over his head in behind. Mark wins the race against the cb and is through on goal. A couple bounces of the ball and Mark Atkinson hits it tidily into the bottom left corner with the keeper at full stretch. 1-0, 18 passes in the build up. A well worked goal that had been needed with such a chaotic game in the first half. Mark carrying on from preseason in a rich vain of scoring our opening goal of 25/26 season.
2nd goal came quickly after with a half arsed clearance from republica, the ball is won by Jack Ellis and falls down to Liam Noon just beyond the half way line. Liam calmly beats the next man playing the ball from one foot to the other. Baring down on goal now, in front natty makes the run and Liam places his pass with the outside of his foot inbetween the fullback and cb. Nathaniel Brazier rides the challenge and slots it calmly past the keeper into the bottom right. 2-0 and Marshall have finally got the game under control.
Unfortunately the pitch was hard, bobbly and not the best for playing possession football. The ball is being passed around and gets intercepted by a republica player for him to run down the left wing with Alfie doing well to track him back. Alfie stands the player up who pulls the ball from left to right foot then whips the ball into top corner of goal from angle of the box. That goal brings Republica into the game a little 2-1.
Unfortunately we loose a couple of players to injures. A few substitutes come on for us to see the game out at 2-1. An excellent game with both teams showing excellent attitude, spirit, determination to win. With respect and sportsmanship.
Congratulations to manager Stephen Quinn for our 1st official win under him.
Mark keeps his scoring run going from preseason.
BIG THANK YOU to our supporters too for showing up in numbers.
GOALS
Mark Atkinson – ⚽️
Natty – ⚽️