[visiongallery set=72157629669270228]
Photos: Kathy Burke
Goodricke 1sts strolled to an assured victory over a resilient Alcuin 3rds side, displaying excellent passing football and solid defending. After the excitement of Vanburgh’s victory over Derwent, the crowd with their vuvuzelas dispersed leaving only a small following of fans. But those who stayed were treated to a performance marked by superb ball retention and effective link up play, by a Goodricke side which impressed on their first outing, and could pose stiff competition for future opponents.
Even in the early stages Goodricke were evidently playing the better football, keeping the ball on the deck, and calmly slotting it around the pitch, using the full width to good effect. Sam Lewis curled one narrowly wide, and a freekick from Joe Mann had Alcuin keeper Michael Thurloway scrambling, as the men from Heslington East started the brighter.
Alcuin then started to grow into the game, and enjoyed a better period of play, culminating in Edward Hadley flaying an effort off target. Everything changed though around the 20 minute mark when Goodricke opened the scoring. Luke Inness floated in a corner from the right, and Sam Astburry rose to powerfully head home past Thurloway.
Goodricke seemed to grow in confidence, and continued to move the ball around nicely, creating an opening for Mann who fired over. It wasn’t all one way though, as Alcuin broke away creating their best chance of the game, but from a narrow angle, George Brough could only drag his effort into the side netting. A half chance also fell to Fraser Page, but again his effort failed to test Ed Foster in the Goodricke goal. At halftime, the men in green led by a single goal.
The second half continued in similar fashion, Goodricke moving the ball around nicely, but Alcuin thwarting them through hard work and resilience from defenders Jon Carney and Danny Brickwood. Goodricke piled on the pressure; however the likes of Jacob Burge and Erki Taube showcased their defensive abilities. At the other end Astburry and Stu Dunk were effectively dealing with any Alcuin threat, leaving Foster a spectator for long periods.
Midway through the second half, Goodricke deservedly doubled their advantage through a brilliantly worked goal, James Gutteridge capping off a fine move by slotting home into the bottom left corner. Gutteridge came close again only minutes later firing one dangerously across from the left flank. Foster was called into action for Goodricke to comfortably save an Alcuin freekick.
Lewis almost added to the Goodricke goals, curling one only inches wide after good play down the right, as time ticked by. Guttridge also forced a decent save from Thurloway down low, as the keeper pushed one around the post and away from danger. With only minutes remaining Alcuin put together their best move of the match, breaking quickly, but the shot was eventually blocked by a Goodricke body.
Goodricke’s advantage remained intact, and they easily managed to run down the final few minutes, to record a routine victory in impressive fashion. There was no shame in Alcuin’s display though as they battled hard, and as captain Carney said, “We defended well, keeping them in check and limiting their chances. It was a shame to concede from a corner, but overall it was a very respectable performance.” Goodricke captain Matt Thomas was pleased with his side’s showing, commenting: “We played a new formation and it worked well, our intensity won the game for us. We knew we had to win, and we did, it was a perfect start.”
Vision MOTM: Sam Astburry