By Roger Baxter
Vanbrugh overcame both Langwith and the elements to post a 3-0 victory in difficult conditions. Goals from Kieran O’Dwyer, Matt Scaysbrook and Ben Lowe were enough for a victory that sees Phil Taylor’s men bounce back from a disheartening 7-3 defeat to Derwent last week.
A scrappy start to the game was perhaps inevitable, given the said conditions. Any aerial passes were badly affected by the horrendous, biting crosswind, and balls played along the ground would more often than not rear up after hitting one of the many ruts of earth on what was an incredibly muddy pitch. As the game wore on, however, Vanbrugh began to produce better and better quality football, and started to dominate possession, threatening the Langwith goal with some probing crosses.
Vanbrugh were rewarded for their patience midway through the first half, when O’Dwyer was played through after a quick break. His low shot was partially stopped by Bruce Starkey, but despite a despairing second dive, bobbled over the line to make the score a deserved 1-0.
Langwith attempted to strike back, with a rare attack on the counter seeing Jack Donovan fire narrowly over James Wilson’s bar from range. Any prospect of a return to level terms was put paid to, however, when a cross from the left fell to Matt Scaysbrook on the volley. The Vanbrugh midfielder then let loose with a thunderous strike that left Starkey completely beaten and flew into the top-left hand corner.
It was almost 3-0 soon after; a run from Jon Gill down the right following a neat one-two with Taylor forced Starkey into an athletic double save. The chances for Vanbrugh didn’t dry up after half-time, Starkey again being forced into action when he blocked Taylor’s point-blank shot following a Ben Stanier cross that tore the Langwith defence in two. The goalkeeper finally cracked. Yet another cross found its way into the Langwith box, this time from the right; Starkey attempted to punch the ball clear, but misdirected his effort, leaving Ben Lowe with the simplest of tap-ins to make the game safe.
It simply wasn’t to be Langwith’s day. Matt Wilcox’s speculative effort immediately after the kick-off rebounded off the inside of the post and was cleared. When Starkey, who had been cunningly deployed in goal to circumvent the cap on University 1st XI players, was sent upfield, he was denied on two separate occasions by brave dives from Wilson. The game maeandered towards its inevitable conclusion, and sure enough, Vanbrugh were the victors come the final whistle.
Both captains were pleased with the effort of their teams; Luke Gardener opined that his Langwith side “should have had two late on, but that’s the way it goes”. Taylor, meanwhile, was “happy with the win, particularly with the pitch the way it was”, adding “We’ve sorted ourselves out for the College Cup. That’s the really big one for us.”