Trowbridge Windows – sponsored Trowbridge & District League, First division outfit Marshfield may not have had their best ever league season, but Matt Sheppard’s side can create their own piece of history on Monday evening (11th April) when they travel to the Gloucestershire County Headquarters in Almondsbury where they face Bristol Downs League, Division two pacesetters Sneyd Park Reserves in the final of the Gloucestershire Intermediate – South – Cup.
Marshfield may already be the first team from the league to reach the Final of any Gloucestershire FA, cup competition, but should they go on and beat Sneyd Park they are likely to be the first team to win one.
Not having played since they beat Warminster Town Reserves at the end of March, Marshfield could be short of match fitness, so what was already going to be a tough task in beating a team who has not suffered a defeat all season, will be that much harder.
Despite withdrawing from the Spring Cup earlier this year, Marshfield who almost withdrew from the league at the start of the season, have done well to keep going, so the their final appearance will be just reward for their efforts.
Matt Sheppard’s side kicked-off their cup run back in October with a 3-1 victory over Fishponds Old Boys Reserves, Mel King, Adam Taylor and Callum Duckett scoring the goals that set up a second round meeting against Stoke Gifford United ‘A’ who they beat 14-0
A hat-trick from Matt Harvey and a brace each from Jeremy Bond, Ewan Anderson, Callum Duckett and Mel King added to the scoresheet. A goal apiece from Jack Sanderson, Al Fryer and James Gardner completed the rout to see Marshfield easily into the hat for the next round.
It took an exciting penalty shoot-out at home to Pucklechurch Sports to send them through to the quarter-finals. Adam Taylor scored the goal for Marshfield in normal time that saw 90 minutes finish 1-1, before the Trowbridge League side emerged victorious 4-3 winners from the penalty shoot-out.
An excellent 4-2 win from their quarter-final visit to Bristol outfit Greyfriars Athletic Reserves saw them stride into the semi-finals. Matt Harvey had an excellent afternoon for Marshfield, helping himself to a couple with Mel King scoring one and the fourth being an own goal.
In an exciting semi-final Marshfield again relied on a penalty shoot-out success to take them to their meeting with Sneyd Park Reserves, Mel King was on target for the villagers against DRG SV Frenchay Reserves who replied late on to take the game to penalties where Marshfield after holding their nerve emerged 5-4 victors.
Sneyd Park Reserves route to the final began with a 5-1 victory over Wessex Wanderers Reserves, which was followed with a penalty shoot-out win over Longwell Green ‘A’, after the 90 minutes ended 1-apiece, Sneyd prevailed 4-1.
Saints Old Boys Reserves were despatched 2-1, which set up a quarter-final meeting at home to Woodlands who they defeated 3-1.
Old Georgians stood in the way of Sneyd and their first County Cup final appearance since 2014 when they lost out to Bristol Bilbao, and in what was a nail biting semi-final a 1-0 triumph saw the Bristol based side set up a Cup final showdown with Marshfield.
Current form would have Sneyd as favourites, and Marshfield know they will have to be at their very best if they are to produce a cup upset, but if manager Sheppard can call on the likes of Adam Taylor, Mel King, Matt Harvey, Jack Sanderson, Kieran Tarrant, Sam Deane, Russell Lodge and Callum Duckett to name just a few of what on their day are a great squad of players, the Trowbridge side may just go on and claim their little piece of league history.
The match kicks-off at 7-30pm.