- Photo: Dave Hughes
Despite being restricted to only 7 players on the pitch, Alcuin triumphed over a Langwith team, who enjoyed superiority in numbers, to keep the pressure on James and Halifax above them.
Goals from Tom Sherwood, Ashley Emmett and Jamie Randall handed Alcuin a reasonably comfortable and deserved 3-1 victory.
Both teams started positively on a sunny Sunday morning, but neither team were able to carve out any clear chances. For Alcuin Tom Sherwood plugged away up front, hassling the Langwith defence, whilst Langwith tried to make their numerical advantage count.
The breakthrough came mid-way through the first half for Alcuin, when good interchange down the right set Dave Washington free to drive at the Langwith defence, before squaring left to Sherwood who rounded off an excellent move with a simple tap in.
Langwith tried to respond, and solid defending was required for Alcuin to retain their lead. Langwith threatened from a series of short corners, but Alcuin also had chances with last ditch defending denying Sherwood and Emmett.
Alcuin maintained their slim lead until the break, in a half which they had just shaded. Langwith were hoping that their added numbers would come to fruition, partly relying on Alcuin legs tiring in the second half.
Again the second half started as a close affair, with both teams looking threatening at times, and some slick passing hockey being on show.
About ten minutes into the half, Langwith got a slightly dubious equaliser, when a shot was blocked by an Alcuin foot, and the umpires handed a penalty goal to the team in yellow.
Alcuin’s response, however, was immediate and within two minutes they had restored their lead, when Washington found Emmett on the left side of the area, who calmly slotted home from 12 yards out.
Langwith had got one equaliser and threatened another on the breakaway, but Alcuin’s defending was resolute and strong. The next goal was without doubt crucial, and it arrived with only two minutes remaining, but for Langwith it was curtains.
Alcuin had continued to push forward in search of a third goal, and when the ball broke for Randall, he seized his opportunity and sealed victory for Alcuin. Langwith almost scored a consolation in the last minute, with a shot inches wide of the left post, but for Alcuin it was a deserved 3-1 victory.