Photos: Oliver Todd
| Team | Pld | Pts | GD |
| Derwent 1sts | 5 | 15 | +15 |
| Wentworth 1sts | 5 | 10 | +12 |
| Halifax 3rds | 5 | 8 | +4 |
| Goodricke 2nds | 5 | 7 | -3 |
| Langwith 2nds | 5 | 3 | -11 |
| Alcuin 3rds | 5 | 0 | -17 |
League Champions Derwent didn’t even have to step out of first gear as they secured a comfortable 2-0 defeat of a disappointing Goodricke 2nds side who offered little in a game that had little significance to them, following Wentworth’s win earlier in the day. Derwent started with intent. Matt Hallam’s fantastic delivery from set-pieces has been the cause of so many goals in this terms tournament, and again it almost led to a goal. Hallam found Josh Baines unmarked at the back post from an early corner, who saw his looping header cleared off the line, with ‘keeper Tom Neill beaten. It was a half of precious few chances. Jake Farrell had a shot blocked having cut in from the left-wing, and an off-colour David Kirk was well marshalled by Sam Astbury.
Derwent were however dominant and it was no surprise to see them take the lead mid-way through the half, and it was a familiar contribution that saw them score the opener. Dan Atherton played a wonderful slide-rule pass through to Xander Brinkworth who slotted the ball across Neill and into the net. The simplest of goals, and a shining example of what this great Derwent side have done so well all year.
The second-half saw a more subdued Derwent side, who allowed Goodricke 2nds their first shot of the game, Will Ward’s freekick blocked by the wall. Otherwise though, it was Derwent who continued to show their superiority. Dan Atherton looked dangerous down the left wing, but Kirk continued to have an off-day, although it was the day to have one, with Derwent’s progression as group winners already secured, although they saw very little threat posed by a Goodricke midfield who spent so much time tracking Hallam that they saw little of the ball themselves, with only Nick Phier being able to exert any influence on the ball.
Derwent famously won the league with a series of 1-0 victories, and whilst Josh Baines continued to pose a threat from set-pieces in the second-half, it was his leadership in keeping the Derwent defence tight that looked to lead to another single goal win, whilst Baines himself looked to be named man-of-the-match before Atherton intervened and put the game beyond Goodricke with 15 minutes remaining. Collecting the ball a full 30 yards out, Atherton moved the ball onto his right-foot, and as the Goodricke defence stood off him, he struck it with venom, past the despairing fingertips of Neill and across the line with the help of the inside of the post.
Derwent saw out the game with ease, having secured victory and their 100% record, without Goodricke managing a shot on target. Derwent captain Joe Broughtflower was pleased with the first-half Derwent performance in particular, and commented: “We have a good chance in this tournament if we play as we did in the first half,” although he bemoaned his sides struggle with fitness issues in the second-half. The result saw Derwent 1sts win their fifth game on the bounce, something that can only be reflected by Group 4’s Halifax 1sts in tomorrow’s game, whilst Goodricke 2nds dropped a place to fourth, following Halifax 3rds win over whipping boys Alcuin 3rds later in the day.
Vision MOTM: Dan Atherton. Is any explanation needed? 1 goal, 1 assist, and the catalyst for this Derwent victory, in addition to his repeated excellent performances he’s displayed this year.