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Photos: Jack Western
Vanbrugh 1sts consolidated their position at the top of Group D with a fine 10-0 victory of a lacklustre Langwith 3rds side, who currently have negative points after being deducted two points for failing to provide a referee.
In contrast Vanbrugh have four wins from four games, and have all but sealed top spot in a challenging group which also includes Derwent 1sts and James 2nds. Eight different players hit the back of the net for Vanbrugh, whilst Phil Taylor and Max Brewer both bagged braces.
Indeed it only took them five minutes to open the scoring, as Brewer blasted home from two yards out, after Steve Le Cornu had initially blocked Elliot Ross’ header. A minute later it was 2-0, as Brewer’s centre half partner Matt Graham doubled Vanbrugh’s lead, bundling home a wicked whipped freekick from Harry O’Brien.
The third goal followed on eight minutes, as Phil Taylor produced a delightful through ball to set Rory Sharkey free. The winger then carried the ball into the area, and coolly slotted past Le Cornu to put the contest beyond doubt.
Taylor was orchestrating play in the middle of the park, picking out his teammates with some delightful vision and execution of passes. On 12 minutes he had a long distance shot tipped wide by Le Cornu, before Jon Gill fired wide.
Langwith meanwhile were having little joy, but in a rare foray into the Vanbrugh half, Sean Gater unleashed a long range shot which was easily gathered by James Wilson. Taylor though continued to dictate play, and on 18 minutes he created the fourth splitting open the backline and finding Ross who poked the ball past the onrushing Le Cornu.
Two minutes later it should have been five, but Sharkey was denied as his shot struck the wheel of the goal which was inside the post, before trickling across the line and away from danger. The goal should have counted, but in truth it was of little consequence to the result.
Sharkey then produced a wonderful cross which was expertly diverted behind by Errol Waters. Yet from the resulting corner Vanbrugh did add a fifth, as O’Brien’s drilled delivery was deftly touched home by Taylor at the near post.
Ross then fluffed his lines from eight yards out, and instead of striking the back of the net, his miscued shot ploughed into Vision cameraman Jack Western, much to the amusement of the crowd. Taylor then had a header cleared off the line, before Rob Rix bagged Vanbrugh’s sixth just before half time with a 20 yard shot.
The second half continued in similar fashion, with Vanbrugh dominating from start to finish. Langwith did have the occasional opening however, McGaskill and Gater both hitting the target either side of the interval.
Vanbrugh’s seventh came from the penalty spot, as Gill rifled home into the top left hand corner after Ross had been pushed by Langwith captain Tom Rudden. The eighth soon followed on 37 minutes as Brewer bagged his second of the game and fourth of the tournament, heading hope a Sharkey corner from the left.
Langwith then managed to go 20 minutes without conceding, as they showed some resilience to prevent the scoreline becoming even more embarrassing. At times Vanbrugh were profligate in front of goal, whilst Le Cornu also produced some solid saves to deny Gill and Taylor.
Right back Chris Wignall was then unfortunate not to add his name to the scoresheet, when he cut in from the right and his curling shot struck the bar with Le Cornu left stranded. With four minutes remaining Vanbrugh did add a ninth as substitute Adam Lewis slotted home from eight yards after the ball deflected into his path.
And there was time for Vanbrugh to reach double figures, as with two minutes remaining Taylor bagged his second of the game, firing home from four yards after an initial shot was well blocked. All in all it was a comfortable win in a one-sided encounter.
Vanbrugh captain Johnny Grout, who missed the clash through injury, told Vision: “It was a really good win, and I’m happy. We should finish top of the group now, and I’m feeling confident going through to the knockout stages.”
Despite the heavy defeat for his side Tom Rudden was upbeat about his side’s performance, remarking: “We battled hard and were unfortunate to lose 10-0, as there were a few deflected goals. We should stand a better chance next week against Goodricke 2s, and can hopefully get some points there.”
Vision MOTM: Phil Taylor