Marple Newtown – 2023

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By Matt Smith

Marple Newtown’s Josh McMenamin had never kicked a football before last year. That changed the moment head coach Chris Gicking showed up at his front door.

“A bunch of guys on the team – (David) Bertoline, (Jake) McGowan, (Brian) Box and McMenamin – all live in my neighborhood,” Gicking said. “We all went to Josh’s house one day and I said to him, ‘You’re kicking.’ He said that he never kicked before. I said, ‘You’re kicking.’”

McMenamin plays midfield for the Tigers soccer team. Gicking wanted him on his squad and wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“So, we basically told him he’s kicking,” Gicking said. “Josh is a great story, a great kid and he comes from a great family. We are happy he’s with us.”

McMenamin drilled a 34-yard field goal as time expired to give Marple Newtown a 23-20 win over Strath Haven Friday in a battle of Central League heavyweights. McMenamin’s kick would have been good from 45 yards, as he had plenty of room to spare.

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