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Photos: Zoe Bennell
Vanbrugh narrowly bested Derwent in a return to the Sunday morning antics and sub-zero temperatures of college football on 22 Acres.
The match got off to a slow start, possibly a sign that Saturday’s Coup d’etat event at the Courtyard had taken a few victims not just from amongst the ranks of the reporters on the sidelines but indeed also from the players on the pitch.
Vanbrugh were able to poke their nose in front on the quarter hour mark when Phil Taylor’s hopeful looping ball from the left flank met O’Dwyer’s head putting the boys in red and blue stripes 1-0 up.
Vanbrugh kept up the pressure with Rous-Ross played in just after 25 minutes only to be cleared away by the ever tenacious Derwent defender Mark Askeham. The resulting corner ended in the ball falling once more to the feet of Rous-Ross who blasted the ball over the bar.
Derwent struck back though with a non-stop assault on the Vanbrugh goal for the remainder of the half, notching up two shots on goal.
A flurry of Derwent corners were continuously foiled by Vanbrugh Goalkeeper James Wilson, repeatedly tipping the ball over the bar causing a five minute vicious circle.
The final chance of the half came on the stroke of the whistle when the ball fell to Derwent’s D’Albertanson after a scuffle in the box, who turned and shot into the safe hands of Wilson. A handball claim was waved away by the referee.
Derwent’s diligence finally paid off, however, just after half time when a lengthy, mob football scrap in the Vanbrugh box ended in a goal for Sven Sabas putting Derwent level at 1-1.
A few more chances followed for Derwent with a long shot from Ollie Harrison pushed over the bar by Wilson. Minutes later Harrison swung in a 22 yard free kick pushed over the bar once more.
However just after 65 minutes, Vanbrugh got what would prove to be the winning goal. Rous-Ross sent in a cross to Phil Taylor, who wrong footed Derwent keeper Ruari Franklin and slotted the ball calmly into the corner.
A Derwent penalty claim followed five minutes later when D’Albertanson was muscled down in the box, but the ref waved these protestations away.
The two final chances of the game both game before the 80th minute with Phil Taylor first putting the ball over the bar after being unable to get past Mark Askeham. A minute later D’Albertanson had a great crack at goal well saved by James Wilson.
The final ten minutes of the match were seen out in a dreary fashion with both teams cancelling each other out in the middle. Finally the whistle blew with a bark of “that’s it” from the referee with Vanbrugh ultimately taking home the spoils.
Man of the Match: Mark Askeham