Football 1sts demolish 2nds in training match

Dan Atherton bagged a hat-trick, while Tom Clarke and James Davies both scored braces as the football 1sts crushed the 2nd team 8-1.

The performance is the perfect preparation for the 1sts, who face a tricky trip to Durham next week, their first BUCS match of the term.

Despite being bottom of their league table without a win, the 1sts produced a marvellous brand of devastating passing and movement which could seriously threaten any defence they will face this term.

Their apparent lack of post-Christmas rustiness was almost scary at times, and sympathy must go to the 2nd’s defence who had their hands full for the entire 90 minutes.

The 2nds must simply forget about this match and pick themselves up before facing Bishop Burton College next Wednesday.

The match began well for the 1st team after Tom Clarke won a penalty for his side within the first two minutes.

After being put clean through, Clarke thundered into the penalty area towards the by-line before being chopped down by the goalkeeper. The penalty was coolly slotted home by the recently-named ‘star of campus’ low to the ‘keeper’s right.

It got worse for the 2nds minutes later, however, as Clarke turned from scorer to provider, threading another great pass through to Dan Atherton.

The winger’s initial shot fortunately came back off the near post straight to his feet allowing him to tap in; one of the stranger one-on-one goals you are likely to see this term.

Clarke then had a glorious opportunity to make it three when he robbed Elliot St George before chipping his shot over the ‘keeper but also over the bar.

Then, 1st’s James Davies had a goal ruled out for offside after 17 minutes, the chance arising after some majestic one-touch passing which unlocked the 2nd’s defence.

The 2nds began to grow into the game more in an attacking sense, though, as Tom Day and Jacob Tapper linked up well to release James Offord. Unfortunately, his cross was dragged behind his teammates who were queuing up to finish in the box.

And Gio Pilides played a clever through ball to Angus O’Brien, but his weak shot was easily saved by McMahon.

But towards the end of the first half, the 1sts turned up the pressure again, as right-back Parker smashed the crossbar with a volley, before Clarke doubled his tally to make it 3-0 with another cool finish despite a hint of offside.

The 1sts began the second half at a blistering pace just like the first half, with Parker bursting into the penalty area, but his cut-back was skied over by Clarke.

Soon, it was four after Stu Dunk took too long to clear his lines, allowing Ash Daly to rob him and drill a cross to James Davies, who couldn’t miss.

After 68 minutes, Atherton added a fifth goal with a superbly-executed finish in which he side-footed a volley into the top corner, leaving the ‘keeper motionless.

But minutes later, Josh Brownlow pulled a goal back for the 2nd’s, as he brilliantly headed in James Gutteridge’s excellent cross.

Defender Tom Brandreth scored a sixth for the 1sts, profiting from confusion in the penalty area and scooping in over the ‘keeper from close range.

Then Atherton was rewarded for his efforts with a hat-trick after converting a more orthodox one-on-one chance.

The humiliation finally ended for the 2nds as Davies made it 8-1, tapping in from close range following good work by the impressive Brandreth.

After the game, 1st’s captain Dan Turley was pleased with his team’s progress from the last term and that ‘work on fitness’ was crucial to his side’s remarkable intensity of play.