Photos: Ruth Gibson and Helena Kaznowska
| Team | Pld | Pts | GD |
| James 3rds | 5 | 12 | +3 |
| Goodricke 1sts | 5 | 11* | +8 |
| Derwent 2nds | 5 | 8 | +4 |
| Langwith 1sts | 5 | 5 | -2 |
| Vanbrugh 3rds | 5 | 3 | -7 |
| Alcuin 2nds | 5 | 1 | -6 |
*Goodricke 1sts deducted 2 points for fielding an ineligible player.
Throughout the match Goodricke were constantly pushing on goal while Alcuin played a successful defensive game. Rob Shanley came close to breaking through the Alcuin defence on several occasions in the first half but to no avail. However, Alcuin also had a perfect opportinity to take the lead when Damian Picard stepped up to take a free kick from just outside the area, but this created nothing more than mild amusement as the dummied take and shot that followed hit the Alcuin defensive wall. This deflection allowed Goodricke another chance; Sam Lewis had the opportunity to finish but a series of great saves from Alcuin keeper and captain David Ambrozejczyk prevented a goal.
All in all, the first half was fairly uneventful; Goodricke pushed for goal and their opponents played a strategic and reliable defensive game, which resulted in a 0-0 scoreline.
There was more drama in the second half, when, just minutes in, Goodricke were granted a penalty- Lewis stepped up to take it but his shot flew over the crossbar. This did not dampen the team’s spirits and soon after, they were on the attack again; Matt Sutherland had a shot but Ambrozejczyk flew out his right leg and stop the ball from crossing the line. Sutherland kept up the pressure in the box and in the middle of a defensive scramble earned his team a second penalty. Lewis tried again and this time was successful; he powered the ball right down the middle of the goal with so much force and determination that it was unstoppable.
But neither team became complacent; for the rest of the game Goodricke were constantly looking for opportunities to extend their 1-0 lead. But Alcuin defended well, with notable efforts from Alex Wright, and the team also took attacking opportunities whenever they could. Goodricke earned a free kick with 5 minutes remaining, but Niall Walsh’s shot was an easy save for Ambrozejczyk. It was Alcuin who had the final opportunity of the match, with even their keeper running up-field to help out. Damian Pickard delivered the cross from just over the half way line, but their last-minute efforts were fruitless, and the score stayed 1-0 to Goodricke.
Goodricke’s captain Sam Lewis commented “All that was important was the result, not the performance. Today we were quite far off our best form. We will need to play better than that if we want to go further than the quarter finals, but I’m very happy about today’s game.”
David Ambrozejczyk, Alcuin’s captain said that “We had lots of players out today- five missing from our regular eleven. We played as defensively as we could and hit them on the break. I think we shut them down really well.”
Vision’s MOTM: David Ambrozejczyk- not just for the countless saves he performed today but the leadership and unity he created in Alcuin’s defensive effort.