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Photos: Oliver Todd
After a strong fight from Halifax’s second string, Derwent 1sts overcame their opponents to set up a mouth watering College Cup final against ‘Fax’s premier side. The majority of the game was a tight affair, and the 4-1 score-line perhaps looks a tad unfair on the defences who were solid throughout and managed to keep true, golden opportunities to a premium until the game’s frenzied finish which resulted Halifax being reduced to 9 men.
The game was played with a high tempo from the offset, and it was clear that both sides understood the sheer importance of this game and the glory that would suddenly become extremely tangible should victory be gained. Both sides were getting stuck in causing fouls to break up the otherwise energetic opening.
The first two real chances of the game came through free-kicks. Halifax’s Luke Charles curled his early effort over the bar and later at the other end, Matt Hallam’s free-kick from the right found the head of imperious centre-back Josh Baines, who hung well in the air but couldn’t direct his header goalwards.
A series of half chances and glimpses of goal followed. Derwent’s Jake Farrell gifted the ball to Halifax winger Eliot Ragan, whose long range shot was hit straight at Treasure. Derwent then had an impressive looking attack down the right, with Boughtflower and Jabarkhyl linking well before the final ball was played just in front of Dan Atherton and went out for a goal-kick.
Halifax’s Mark Lund attempted to open the scoring in spectacular fashion with an overhead kick following a weak clearing header from a corner but his effort disappointingly flew just wide of the post.
Halifax were competing well but it was Derwent who looked the more composed and comfortable when on the ball, and as always, they were extremely solid at the back. They had a couple of chances to score late in the half. First of all, Jon Garness was expertly dispossessed by Halifax centre-back Alex Simon when it looked at if they had a 3 on 2 advantage on the break. Hallam and Atherton then linked well to give Nav Jabarkhyl some space in the box but he was again thwarted by the Halifax defence and couldn’t get a shot away.
The sides came out for the second period with the scores still tied at 0-0, but it didn’t take long for that to change. Derwent’s Dan Atherton made a surging run down the right and Alex Simon was forced to slide to cut out his low ball into the box which looking to be heading into the path of the onrushing Jon Garness. The penalty was duly awarded and Jabarkhyl smashed home to make it 1-0.
Despite going a goal behind to the favourites however, Halifax did not let their heads drop but instead came back and levelled the scores. The tireless Ben Rea made a break down the right and his ball into the box was fumbled by Seb Treasure. The prolific Hamish Denham was there to steal in and capitalise on the Derwent ‘keeper’s mistake, poking into the corner to make it 1-1.
The next notable piece of action saw Derwent regain their lead though. Jabarkhyl found some space and played a through ball behind the Halifax defence to Dan Atherton. Dean Hanson rushed out of goal to try and clear the ball but Atherton got there first and his strike struck the hand of the unfortunate ‘Fax keeper whilst he was outside the area. Atherton took the resulting free-kick himself and curled a delightful effort sublimely into the top corner to make it 2-1 and return the smiles to Derwent’s faces.
Josh Baines could have made it three after he met Matt Hallam’s free-kick unmarked at the far post with a stooping header back across goal but it was cleared off line when Baines thought he’d scored.
The game then spiralled into madness. Dempster and Atherton were both booked and Halifax were pressing strongly for a second equaliser. Substitute Fraser Moyle had a couple of chances to score and Dan Atherton had a half chance at the other end when he met a looping Jake Farrell ball from the left which he couldn’t direct goalwards.
Halifax’s Luke Charles was then sent off for a second bookable offence after clattering Jacob Clatter to the JLD floor, turning Halifax’s task from the improbable to the seemingly impossible. Indeed before long, Derwent were 3-1 up, and they became so in somewhat comical fashion.
Goalkeeper Dean Hanson had left his goal to help aid the Halifax attack when Atherton got hold of the ball with the ‘keeper still stranded. He found the net from ten yards inside his own half and if Derwent weren’t comfortable before, they certainly were now.
A fourth goal for Derwent was somewhat harsh on Halifax considering their efforts, but the ‘Fax’s push for goals meant that it inevitably came. Striker Jon Garness broke away into acres of space behind the Halifax back four. His touch was poor, but it wasn’t to matter, as Alex Bone clipped him for behind in the penalty area and was promptly dismissed. Dan Atherton had a chance to complete his hat-trick from the spot and made no mistake, slotting the ball perfectly into the bottom left hand corner to round off the scoring at 4-1 and send his side into the cup final.
‘We battled really well, worked hard and matched them for intensity’, said Derwent captain Joe Boughtflower after the final whistle. On the prospect of facing Halifax 1sts in the final he commented; ‘They’re a really good side, but if we lift our work rate again I’m sure we can get a result’.
Vision MOTM: Dan Atherton- The hat-trick hero did not only provide goals but was excellent in all other aspects of the game too, and his free kick was simply sublime.