Marshall pleads for Swindon chance

2:59pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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MARK Marshall will plead with Eastleigh today to let him extend his Swindon Town trial after a promising, if inconsistent, full debut for League One outfit.

The 21-year-old right winger created both Simon Cox's goals in Swindon's 2-1 friendly win at Eastleigh's Blue Square South rivals Hampton & Richmond last night but fears his dreams could be cut short by a premature recall.

Marshall is due to return to non-league Eastleigh tomorrow in time for their own pre-season tour of Devon but the lively winger is hoping a word in the right ear will see him get another chance.

He said: "Not being funny to Eastleigh but I would rather be here. I have been here for three weeks now and I really like it. I like the people, enjoy training with the lads, and it is just a shame I have to go back on the tour.

"I will speak to the gaffer at Eastleigh as soon as I can and tell him my thoughts. Obviously I am contracted to Eastleigh and I have to do what they say but that is not my first choice.

"No disrespect to them but I want to progress my game."

While Cox continued his prolific start to the summer, with his fifth and sixth goals in just five games, it was the performance of Marshall that would have had most Town fans talking.

He had his faults, make no mistake about that, but his skill and pace suggested he could cause some League One defences trouble.

It was his corner that was headed in by Cox on 20 minutes and his ferocious drive on 67 minutes that was fumbled by goalkeeper Matt Lovett, for Cox to slot home.

Admitting Marshall had given him food for thought, Swindon boss Maurice Malpas said: "I think there is something there with Mark. I have to decide whether it is something we can improve quickly, whether it is something we can fit into our team.

"The pace is there and that is one thing we don't have. But we have to make sure that does not cloud our judgement.

"I have spoken to his agent and spoken to him and I have to decide in the next couple of weeks whether we take him or keep an eye on him at Eastleigh."

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