Photos: Oliver Todd
| Team | Pld | Pts | GD |
| Halifax 1sts | 5 | 15 | +15 |
| Alcuin 1sts | 5 | 10 | +12 |
| Vanbrugh 2nds | 5 | 10 | +4 |
| Derwent 3rds | 5 | 6 | -7 |
| James 2nds | 5 | 3 | -4 |
| Wentworth 3rds | 5 | 0 | -20 |
Some of the best defending seen in this year’s College Cup so far wasn’t enough for Vanbrugh 2nds, as they dropped into the plate after this 3-0 loss to the wonderful Halifax 1sts.
The story of the first-half was Vanbrugh’s excellent defending. Well marshalled by ‘keeper and captain Kallum Taylor, the excellent centre-back pairing of Jon Gill and Tom Oster were excellent in nullifying the threat of Halifax’s famously magical front four. Vanbrugh created chances of their own as well though, Paul O’Beirne’s delivery from set pieces caused problems for a Halifax side who, before today were yet to be really tested in this tournament, and Adam “Adambayor” Lewis, on as a substitute after just 20 minutes, saw a headed effort from a Jon Gill long throw blocked.
It took until 5 minutes before half-time for Halifax to break Vanbrugh’s resistance, and the goal came from a familiar source, although not in such a spectacular way as regular watchers of this tournament have become used to. A headed clearance found Conor Brennan on the edge of the box, who struck for goal. Goalkeeper Taylor had it covered but a deflection off a Vanbrugh back saw it fly into the opposite corner. It was unfortunate for a Vanbrugh side who had defended so well throughout the half.
Vanbrugh heads quickly dropped following the goal and they almost went in at half-time 2 goals down, as Brennan, Tom Day and Tom Ragan all began to exert their influence, all seeing efforts go close in the closing stages of the half, but Vanbrugh held out and went in at the break a single goal down.
The second-half continued much like the first-half, with the majority of the play being, unsurprisingly, dictated by Halifax 1sts. However, Vanbrugh’s defence continued to stand firm, although as time passed on in the hot sun they became more tired, and more openings developed for Halifax. Jack Beadle poked a shot low at Taylor’s goal, whilst Brennan danced around defenders in search of a second goal.
The search didn’t take long though, although the second goal was shrouded in controversy. Vanbrugh centre-back Tom Oster was off the pitch injured by a Halifax challenge in the build-up, leaving a gap in the defence of a Vanbrugh side who had no time to adjust. Mark Lund worked the ball down the wing, and his low cross found Ragan in a prime position to slot the ball past Taylor with a calculated finish. Despite Vanbrugh’s protests, the goal was given, and the game was up. Tom Day hit the crossbar and Lund had an effort from range well saved by Taylor, and the evident tiring of the Vanbrugh defence saw Brennan add his second, and Halifax’s third with just minutes to go.
Played in by a great ball from Alex Tringham over the top of the defence, Brennan found himself one-on-one with Taylor and cooly fired home to complete the victory. Whilst Vanbrugh had been excellent competitors, Halifax 1sts quality movement and attacking spark shone through, as they stride on into the knock-out stages, and a game against the post-grads of Wentworth 1sts in the quarter-finals. Vanbrugh meanwhile will look to be big competitors in the plate competition, in which they face Goodricke 2nds.
Vision MOTM: Tom Oster was superb at the back for Vanbrugh, and although his side conceded three goals, if he can repeat performances like this, Vanbrugh 2nds will go far in the plate, and they won’t face many sides better than they did today.