Marden High – 1 : 7 – John Spence

Match Report.

In a repeat of last season’s scoreline, the U13s lost 7-1 to local rivals John Spence on Friday afternoon in their final league game of the season.

After a slow start, Marden could not get going and were losing heavily by half time, Spence scoring 5 without reply. The second half saw a major improvement though, with pacey substitutes Will Kelly and Jack Ashworth asking questions down both flanks. Jack went close himself when his effort was tipped onto the post, before Will pulled a goal back with his second of the season, slotting home coolly after being put through by Theo Riley.

John Spence rallied again and forced captain Thomas Stoetzel to put through his own net before rounding off the scoring themselves with a seventh late on. Marden still fought to reduce the scoreline, Sam Allonby putting in a fantastic cross for Will Kelly to head home, only for the ‘keeper to claw it back from the line.

Although it was a disappointing end to the league season, it was a battling second half performance, and the Year 8s have improved on last season’s Year 7 campaign, winning four of their six games this year.

On Friday 15th March the Under 12 County Hockey Tournament took place at the Parks. Eight schools were entered – Kings, Central, Mowden Hall, Bede Academy, RGS, Church High, Dame Allans and Marden.

In our section we played Kings – lost 3-0, Central 2-0 and finished with a 0-0 draw against Mowden Hall. Although we did not qualify for the knockout stage, the students competed very well, especially as it was our first full 11-a- side competition. Well done.

The Newcastle United Football Foundation Girls Under 13 tournament took place on Friday 8th March at Walker Activity Dome.

24 schools from Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside & Northumberland competed and in our Section Marden’s results were as follows:

Chantry Middle; drew 0-0
Seaton Burn; lost 0-1
Walker; lost 0-2
Coates Middle; won 2-0
Seaton Burn; drew 1-1

Although we failed to qualify for the knockout stages, the team played some very good football and competed in a very sporting manner.

Well done to team manager Katy Ellwood, Hannah Latif (Capt), Scarlet Kane, Katie Laurie, Beth Robinson, Morgan Wilson Ford, Melissa Johnston, Amy Feetham, Jasmine Stephenson and Daisy Rowe.

The Year 7 girls took part in a hockey tournament at John Spence alongside the host school, Kings and Valley Gardens. Marden entered two teams and finished 3rd and 5th respectively on a biting cold night on Thursday. Well done to all who took part for their effort and commitment.

Marden High – 1 : 5 – Valley Gardens

Match Report

The U13s lost their unbeaten league record on Wednesday night with a 5-1 home defeat by Valley Gardens, who had earlier this season knocked them out of the cup in their only other defeat this year.

After a great start, which saw some strong challenges and neat passing moves, Marden took the lead when midfielder Dan Henderson shifted the ball onto his right foot before firing into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The away side soon started to dominate however and scored twice in quick succession from close range after two long corners were dropped into the six yard box and tapped home. The Year 8s were defending deep but couldn’t deal with set pieces, ‘keeper Aidan McDonald tipping a free kick onto the crossbar before the rebound was tapped in for 3-1.

As heads started to drop it was 4-1 just before half time when another dangerous corner was only cleared to the edge of the box and the resulting effort ended up over the line via a deflection off McDonald after coming back off the bar.

A fresher approach to the second half saw Marden improve and put in a spirited performance, but they could not create enough to get themselves back in the game, conceding late on to make it 5-1 after Aidan pulled off a couple of good one-on-one saves.

The attitude and commitment was there right to the end and the lads were unlucky to be on the end of such a heavy defeat, but the better team won and Marden will need a win in their last game against local rivals John Spence to finish in the top 2 in the league and progress to the play-off semi-finals.

MARDEN HIGH – 2 : 5 – MONKSEATON MIDDLE SCHOOL

Marden came unstuck at home to Monkseaton Middle School, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying in an evenly contested match. After going two down at half time, the home team missed a few chances to get back in the game, hitting the post from close range, and Monkseaton counter attacked to add two more goals.

Marden soon got their act together and pulled two back through lively striker Dan McGhee and a looping cross from Ben McDermott that dropped in at the front post.

But Monkseaton added a fifth and took home the points, leaving the Year 7s still looking for their first win of the season.

Marden High – 0 : 4 – Valley Gardens

Match Report

Mr. Prytherch’s Year 7 football team were beaten at home to Valley Gardens on Thursday in a well contested match, but the performance was encouraging, especially a spirited second half which deserved more.

After a looping first effort found the top corner, Marden failed to clear their lines and Valley roared into a 3-0 half time lead, but could only add to that with a lucky ricochet in the second half to complete the scoring.  The U12s went close to reducing the deficit, with Laurie Robson having a shot tipped over, and Lucas Sutherland flagged offside as he tucked the ball into the bottom corner.  Lucas was also denied late on when Valley’s ‘keeper superbly tipped his shot against the post.

The Year 7s will have an early chance to register their first win of the season on the first Monday back after half term with a fixture against Monkseaton Middle School lined up.

Marden Bridge – 2 : 4 – Marden High

Match Report

In awful conditions, our Year 8 team continued their incredible run of league form with a confident 4-2 win over local rivals down the road, Marden Bridge Middle School.

Year 8 warm-up in near Arctic conditions!

A late flurry of afternoon snow put the match in jeopardy and forced a switch of venue from grass to the outdoor astroturf pitch, but with shovels on hand to clear snow from the lines the game went ahead, and the visitors stormed into an early 2-0 lead, Luke Monaghan dinking a right footed effort over the ‘keeper within minutes of kick off.

After Monaghan went round the keeper but failed to convert, Marden kept pressing, and Louis Adams finished off an excellent team move, tapping home from close range after captain Thomas Stoetzel and Theo Riley combined; Theo unselfishly squaring across goal for Louis to score his second of the season.

The home side soon got their act together though, and after forcing a great save from Aidan McDonald in the Marden goal, which later forced the goalkeeper off through injury, Marden Bridge pulled the game back to 2-2 with two quick fire goals, the first a cool finish slotted home, the second a scrappy effort after some pinball in the box.

Marden held their nerve and restored their lead just before half time when Luke Monaghan got his second of the game, scoring straight from a corner.  Oliver Young had a solid first half in a new look defensive midfield position, and sacrificed himself for the team to go in goal in the second half, pulling off a terrific near post save and keeping a clean sheet after replacing Aidan.

Theo’s energetic bursts down the left were difficult to deal with and after coming close himself, he powered through the defence once more to square for Luke to slide home his hat-trick, with sub Ethan Dickinson also ready to tap in.

All in all, it was a good spirited game of football considering the slippery conditions, and the commitment and attitude was superb all round.  It also means that the Under 13s are still unbeaten in the league this season with 4 wins out of 4.  Well done to all who braved the snow and played their part.

Three teams were entered last Wednesday was the North Tyneside Under 13 Hockey Tournament at John Spence.  In our first game against John Spence A, Marden lost 1-0 against the run of play.  In our second we beat John Spence’s B team 2-0 to finish runners up. Well done to all who played.

On Thursday 31st Jan the Under 14 hockey team played Church High at Coach Lane Campus in the County League.  After absorbing some initial pressure, our team started to get on top and by half time we were 2-0 up.  Church High rallied themselves in the second half and sneaked a goal but Marden stayed calm and saw out the game to win 2-1.

On Thursday 7th February our U14 team play Dame Allans at Coach Lane.  Good luck to all the team.