Marton Under-14s were victorious for the third consecutive year in the North Riding Cup Final but had to fight hard for their victory against a determined Nunthorpe team who battled to take the trophy.
Marton took the game to Nunthorpe from the start and could have scored in the first minute when, after receiving a pass from Colligan, Rowney powered past two defenders but Kelly blocked his goal-bound effort. From the resulting corner swung in by Hill, a Johnston header went inches past the post.
After the early pressure Nunthorpe settled and began to create chances of their own, Downing was the first to test the impressive stand-in keeper Tymon, and soon after the keeper again made a fine save from a Wearmouth free-kick.
The impressive Worton and Walker in the heart of the Marton defence had their work cut out as Wearmouth and Downing were on top of their game and were hungry for goals. Nunthorpe didn't have it all their own way with the Marton centre midfield pairing of Carroll and Spence working their socks off to win the ball and set up counter attacks, with only good defending and poor finishing preventing Marton from taking the lead.
As the half progressed Shaun Kell, who had been out injured for six weeks, began to grow in confidence and after going past two players hit a great shot from outside the box that deceived the Nunthorpe keeper to give Marton the lead on the stroke of half time.
The second half got under way and Marton were looking ominous and were unlucky not to extend their lead with, Tymon, Carroll and Johnston all going close to finding the net.
The second goal wasn't far away, and when Rowney crossed from the left a neat header from Johnston left the keeper with no chance, 2-0 to Marton.
Nunthorpe, with nothing to lose, put more forwards on in an effort to get back into the game but two fantastic saves from the replacement keeper Henderson and dogged defending meant it wasn't to be their day.
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