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Writer's pictureStuart Bannerman

15 Key Moments From Dramatic Grassroots Cup Quarter Final Tie

Marsh United took on Bickerstaffe AFC in the (Mid Lancs Football League) Guildhall Cup quarter finals on Saturday in a game that saw plenty of action and, as usual when Up North Productions turn up to film, controversy!


Marsh ran out 6-2 winners, but the scoreline doesn't tell the full story of the match, with both sides creating countless clear-cut chances, with a few refereeing decisions also being questioned!


Here, we look at all the key moments of the game, where you can watch every major incident for yourself!



Here Are 15 Key Moments From The Match!


1 Marsh United take the lead!

Marsh United got off to the perfect start, taking the lead in the 2nd minute after some excellent link up play down the left, a nice cut back and after a good first touch the striker buried the ball into the back of the net.


2 Did the goalkeeper come out of his penalty area?

Did the Bickerstaffe AFC goalkeeper handle the ball outside the area? The Marsh United players claim that he did! The referee said no, though! And the game continued...


3 Bickerstaffe AFC equalise!

The early goalscoring continues as Bickerstaffe AFC make it 1-1 in the 8th minute when the ball is poked past the onrushing Marsh keeper and rolls into the middle of the goal.



4 Goalkeeper keeps Marsh level!

Bickerstaffe create an outstanding chance after some good work down the right, the ball is played into the middle but the forward is denied from 6 yards out by the Marsh keeper, who somehow denies with his feet. What a save!


5 Controversy! Referee says NO RED CARD!

The referee found himself in the firing line when the Marsh striker was played in and through on goal, only to be hauled down. The home side fully expected the match official to show the defender a red card, but despite being the last man he escaped with a booking, much to the anger of the hosts.


6 Marsh United retake the lead!

Despite their anger over the red card incident moments earlier, Marsh were soon celebrating when they scored from the resulting freekick! And what a freekick it was, and the home side were 2-1 ahead!


7 Keeper is beaten...but somehow the ball goes wide!

Marsh United looked certain to extend their lead when Ricky Ball found himself with the goal at his mercy following a goalkeeping error. However, from a tight angle, his shot trickled wide of the far post.


8 Marsh United go 3-1 up!

What a strike! A corner from the right was delivered into the penalty area in the 48th minute and Lewis Grimshaw fired it into the net with his left foot from an acute angle! A superb finish!


9 Bickerstaffe hit back straight away!

Two minutes after going 3-1 behind, Bickerstaffe keep this action-packed cup tie alive with another goal of their own. It was a lovely first time finish, which was powered past the Marsh keeper with his instep to give the visitors a lifeline.


10 Goal disallowed!

Marsh United were denied a fourth goal when they opened up the Bickerstaffe defence and the ball was tapped into the back of the net. However, the referee's assistant's flag was raised for an offside and the goal was ruled out.


11 Own goal adds to Bickerstaffe woes!

A cross from the right was played into the six yard box and the Bickerstaffe defender put the ball into his own net to give Marsh a 4-2 lead on 58 minutes. Three goals in 13 second half minutes!


12 Marsh United kill the cup tie!

Less than 2 minutes after going 4-2 ahead, Marsh went on the attack again and extended their advantage. The Bickerstaffe defence failed to deal with a long ball and 2 first time passes helped set up the Marsh to finish calmly with his left foot from 8 yards out.


13 Freekick just goes over!

Bickerstaffe hadn't given up and very nearly pulled another goal back from a freekick around 25 yards out. It was an excellent effort but unfortunately for the visitors it narrowly went over the crossbar.


14 Goal-saving block on the line!

Marsh United very nearly scored again in injury time when a corner was played along the ground from the right and fell to their number 7 around 8 yards out. He managed to get his shot on target, only for the Bickerstaffe defender to block the ball on the line superbly!


15 Breakaway Goal!

In the 4th minute of injury time, Jordan Griffiths beat the offside trap, rounded the Bickerstaffe goalkeeper and rolled the ball into the empty net to make it 6-2 and put the finishing touch on what was an impressive win in an outstanding Guildhall Cup tie!


Watch Full Match Highlights Video




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