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Photos: Zoe Bennell
A second James 2s victory in as many games saw them go top of the College Cup group D table with a goal difference of +11. Ralph Gill netted twice – a strong header in the first period and a stunning half-volley after the break – to dispatch Goodricke in an otherwise-even encounter.
The match started positively with Goodricke threatening on the break in-between James’ dominance of possession. The surprisingly quiet Joe Mann played in Fabian Ashurst who blazed wide, before Pete Mabe sublimely crossed for Gill at the other end from the corner flag. The midfielder made no mistake in firing his bullet header into the net as James established an early lead.
Ashurst then went off injured after a strong challenge as Goodricke pressed, but a dangerous effort that whistled into the side netting from James Spilsbury reminded Goodricke of their opposition’s attacking threat. Spilsbury’s winter gloves glistened in the May sun on the JLD.
Gareth Thomas then nearly executed an audacious effort from the half-way line perfectly, but James goalkeeper Ben Raper caught the ball to avoid embarrassment.
Then, an astonishing half-volley from Gill sealed James’ victory as the man-of-the-match broke away from two incoming challenges and struck a sweet lob over the stranded Noel Rodgers.