Teenage kicks

At 15 years, two months and six days, Marshall becomes youngest ever player for pro team in FA Cup

- NEAL KEELING

MARSHALL Heys completed an unforgettable week in his fledgling career by making FA Cup history.

At the age of 15 years two months and six days he became the youngest player to appear for a professional side in the famous competition.

He stepped onto the pitch at The Peninsula Stadium to play for Salford City FC in the closing stages of the clash against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday. It was the pinnacle of an astonishing few days for the starlet.

On Monday his surging run in stoppage time ended with a neat pass to set up Ruben Butt to score the winning goal in a 2-1 FA Youth Cup win over Hudders field Town Under-18s. After impressing the watching Ammies manager, Karl Robinson, he was invited to train with the men's first team, and was named in the squad for Saturday's FA Cup game against Shrewsbury Town.

The Ammies won 2-1 thanks to Matthew Lund's first-half brace, but in the 90th minute Marshall made history when he was substituted on for Josh Austerfield. Marshall still made an impression even though he only came on in stoppage time and will be hoping for an appearance when Salford meet Cheltenham Town at home in the second round.

The teenager, from Audenshaw, Tameside, previously played for Rochdale but had to find a new club when its academy was wound up after the club's relegation from the Football League.