James 1st XI escaped what would have been an embarrassing draw against a spirited Goodricke 3rd team, scoring late goals to eventually run out 3-1 winners.
James dominated the game with regards to chances and possession, but a combination of their own wastefulness and some resolute Goodricke defending, Josh Savage in particular putting in a sterling display at left back, meant that the game was a far tenser affair than they would have hoped for.
James dominated the early stages and created several chances. Tom Clarke fizzed an inviting ball into the box from the right which narrowly evaded Richard Baxter’s diving header, Mark McCleod curled wide and Clarke had several opportunities to open the scoring himself but it wasn’t until fairly late on in the half, after
Goodricke had had an excellent opportunity of their own with Jamie Harbour sending a powerful header just wide of the post, that the balck and whites eventually took the lead.
Mark McCleod dribbled through the centre and found space to shoot. He took full advantage, slamming a powerful strike low past Noel Rogers to make it 1-0 going into half-time.
James again came out with intent after the restart. Clarke fired wide form a tight angle and Baxter struck a shot over the bar whilst under pressure from the Goodricke defence, but the men from Heslington East contained their more fancied opponents well and managed to limit the number of James opportunities.
When James did manage to break down the Goodricke defence, Noel Rogers was impressive in goal. He saved well low to his left from a curled Simon Mole effort and then proceeded to keep out Baxter’s attempt from the rebound, keeping his side in the match in the process.
Goodricke almost found an equaliser when Rob Young put Chris Hammer though on goal, but his tame effort was easily saved. Seconds later however, and against all odds, they did level the scores. Mike Abdul drove a powerful effort high into the net from just outside the area, sending the abundance of Goodricke supporters wild and giving their college a genuine chance of achieving one of the upsets of this year’s competition.
Heartbreakingly for the men in green however, it wasn’t to be. The impressive Mark McCleod made it 2-1 to James late on when he struck his free kick low into the bottom corner from the left edge of the area.
Goodricke pushed to equalise for the second time in the match, but James felt more comfortable by now, and their defence dealt capably with everything Goodricke threw at them.
James captain Richard Baxter sealed the win for his side in the dying moments, poking in at the far post from McCleod’s corner, rounding off the scoring at 3-1. It was a deserved victory, but this takes nothing away from Goodricke’s effort. They put up a spirited fight against superior opposition and almost came away
with a heroic point.
MOTM: Mark McCleod
If you ask any lady they want to be taller, they want to be slimmer, you know, and they want a waist. I’m not here to make people look like a sack of potatoes.