Whickham

1-2

Marske United

Andison

 

McPhillips, Onions 


The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Extra Preliminary Round
7.30pm, Friday 18 August 2006
Winning club receives £500



Marske United might not win The FA Cup this season, but 18-year-old midfielder Liam McPhillips was the first hero of this year's competition when he helped his side to a 2-1 victory at Whickham's charming Glebe ground on Friday night.

McPhillips, who works as a sports development officer, bagged the opening goal of this season's FA Cup and then set up the winner for teammate David Onions before half-time. The usual ingredients of an FA Cup tie were in abundance, with both sides throwing everything into the game as they set out on the road to glory.

And it is Marske, from the Second Division of the Arngrove Northern League, who will play Brigg Town of the UniBond League in the Preliminary Round on 2 September.

McPhillips opened the scoring after 12 minutes, stealing in unmarked at the far post to sidefoot in a pinpoint cross from Eddie Hebron.

But five minutes later the Marske defence failed to deal with a long throw-in and Paul Andison drove the ball home.

After Andy Elliott hit a post for Whickham from the edge of the area, McPhillips was on hand again five minutes before half-time, when he crossed low from the left for Onions to beat goalkeeper Stephen Robinson from ten yards.

In the second half, Whickham resorted to the long ball, but Craig Winter - son of 2004 Cup Final referee Jeff, who was in the crowd - headed everything away. Whickham's Peter Craddock was shown a red card in the second half for a professional foul on Onions as the hosts pressed forward.

Marske manager Charlie Bell, a former professional at Middlesbrough and now a police inspector, said: "The FA Cup is all about enjoyment and trying to go as far as you can, and that's what we want to do."

Whickham: Robinson, Andison, Jackson, Hall, Holmes, Cavanagh, Elliott (Roberts 70 mins), Boyle, Robson, Scott (Halliday 66), Craddock.

Marske: Swann, Whatmore (Roberts 81), Ward (Smith 63), McMahon, Winter, Millington, James, Hebron (Stott 74 mins), Onions, Alexander, McPhillips.