On Tuesday evening we welcomed Marske FC to The Wanted Stadium for a pre season friendly.

In an action-packed encounter between West Auckland Town and Marske FC, the two sides battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw. The match showcased moments of brilliance, heroic defending, and clinical finishing, leaving the fans on the edge of their seats throughout the contest.

From the outset, West Auckland Town looked the more dominant side, maintaining possession and creating early chances. In the 4th minute, their persistence paid off when a well-delivered corner found the head of Ben Dale, who expertly nodded the ball into the back of the net to give his team an early 1-0 lead.

Marske FC were not to be underestimated, and they fought back valiantly. In the 8th minute, a dangerous corner threatened West Auckland’s lead, but Josh Gillies made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny the visitors an equalizer.

As the first half progressed, both teams settled into the rhythm of the game, and West Auckland Town continued to push for a second goal. In the 12th minute, a blistering run down the right flank by Jackson culminated in a low cross, narrowly missing Josh Scott’s outstretched foot, denying him a chance to double the lead.

Despite West Auckland’s dominance, Marske FC showed their attacking prowess. In the 16th minute, a long ball into the box nearly found Gillies, providing a glimpse of Marske’s potential threat.

As the clock ticked on, the intensity remained high. In the 30th minute, both teams enjoyed a fair share of possession, but the score line remained in favour of West Auckland Town at 1-0.

However, the game’s dynamics shifted dramatically just a minute later. Marske FC’s Adam Boyes capitalized on a chance from outside the box, firing a well-placed shot that beat the West Auckland goalkeeper to level the scores at 1-1.

The second half began with both teams seeking to gain the upper hand. In the 48th minute, Scott found himself almost through on goal, but the Marske goalkeeper quickly raced off his line to thwart the danger.

West Auckland Town responded well to the pressure, and in the 69th minute, they reclaimed the lead. Josh Gillies delivered a dangerous corner from the right, and Potter rose above the defenders to powerfully head the ball home, making it 2-1 in favor of the home side.

The see-saw battle continued, and in the 80th minute, Marske FC struck back with determination. A well-placed ball was whipped across the box, and Jody Hope made no mistake, slotting it past the West Auckland goalkeeper to equalize once again at 2-2.

Both teams fought relentlessly in the closing stages, seeking a decisive goal, but the defenses held firm, and the match ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

After a captivating display of football, West Auckland Town and Marske FC shared the spoils. Both sides showcased their attacking flair and defensive resilience, leaving the fans with an unforgettable match to remember.

Credit to Phil Clerkin for the images