Goodricke 1sts have to be one of the tournament’s favourites; they won the college football Winter league and pushed Derwent to the final game of the Spring league, and if the move from the muddy fields of 22 acres to the JLD astroturf is to benefit anyone, it’s Sam Lewis’ technically-proficient passing side.
The pressure was on James 3rds early on, and it took a decent save from Paul Charnock in goal to deny a curling Lewis free-kick in the opening minutes. But they only staved off the inevitable, and a Goodricke goal came after 20 minutes of James resilience; James Gutteridge flew down the right and crossed in to Sam Lewis, who flicked the ball down for Ben Smith, who cheekily back-heeled past Charnock and just inside the post.
James thirds were well-supported on the touchline, and were cheered on to a surprise equaliser. Goodricke’s Sam Astbury fouled to clear the ball off the goal-line line, giving away a penalty. Up stepped towering centre-back Nathan McCusker, who slotted away the spot kick with composure to level the scores.
Astbury redeemed himself moments later when he knocked in a Matt Thomas cross, and after a couple of decent long-range efforts from Jack Fisher and James 1sts goalkeeper Sam Clitheroe, the game was put out of James’ sight: Lewis’ slick through-ball found Gutteridge, who rounded the goalkeeper and jostled with Daniel Murfin to scramble the ball over the line, picking up a minor head injury in doing so.
A Goodricke 1sts win, as expected, but James 3rds proved they don’t intend to be Group B also-rans.