College Cup: Tuesday Week 3

If today was a day for Halifax 1sts to outline their football prowess, then they certainly delivered, whopping up a 8-0 victory over Goodricke 3rds. Likewise, Langwith 2nds proved they aren’t a team to be underestimated in the College Cup, as James 2nds were made to punish for some lacklustre defending.

Langwith 2nds  2-1 James 2nds

A resolute performance led by talismanic figure, Bruce Starkey, saw Langwith 2nds get their College Cup off to fine start with a 2-1 victory over James 2nds.

The winner arrived in the second half when Starkey, who possessed frightening pace throughout the game, capitalised on a loose ball by James, to round the onrushing Sam Clitheroe, and place beyond, into the back of the net.

Earlier in the game, Langwith had gained the first advantage, in somewhat strange fashion. A mix-up between the James defence, after fifteen minutes, saw Clitheroe’s clearance ricochet back off Duncan Sills and into his own net. It was very much calamitous, and James’ back-line never seemingly recovered.

But, if the team sporting black and white white were in need of inspiration, then it was to be Sam Mellor’s turn to deliver, who sporting a white Real Madrid attire instead, managed to evade the James defence, almost single-handedly, and fire between the sticks to make it 1-1. A stylish finish very much characteristic of ‘Los Galacticos.’ It brought an end to the first half at one a-piece.

Indeed, the only difference after the interval proved to be Starkey’s goal, a goal which has reaffirmed talk of why he could be the man set for top gong in this tournament, despite the so-called mediocrity of his Langwith colleagues, who seemingly rely heavily on his presence. However, perhaps this day also laid down another marker – when Langwith can get a full first team out, they are capable of upsets like this one.

Halifax College 1sts 8-0 Goodricke College 3rds.

Halifax started their college cup campaign in ominous fashion as they completely outclassed a shell-shocked Goodricke 3rds side to record a massive 8-0 victory. Boasting a team full of university footballers, Fax are surely the favourites for this year’s competition and they did little to suggest otherwise with a performance that oozed class and composure.

Goodricke went into the match with high hope of emulating the James 3rds team who had held Goodricke 1sts for nearly 80 minutes but Halifax showed a ruthlessness that soon put such hopes to bed. Barely 10 minutes had gone before a deflected shot found its way to Joe Brennan who slotted home from close range. It was the start of an onslaught and Halifax had three more soon afterward, giving them time to practice a bizarre celebration ritual which left the crowd somewhat bemused.

Goodricke’s only chance came when forward Matt Burke broke through and fired in a show which appeared to hit Halifax captain Mark Lund on the arm in the penalty area. Lund survived appeals for a red card, and Goodricke were doubly disappointed when the referee deemed the infringement to have occurred outside the box and awarded only a free kick, which was duly wasted.

Halifax’s dominance continued into the second half, the goals flying in with, what was for Goodricke, a dull monotony. In the end they had to settle for 8 but were left to rue a catalogue of missed chances which could have pushed them into double figures. On this form though there are few college teams who could have lived with them and it will be very interesting to see if anyone can stop this well oiled behemoth of college football crushing all in its wake. The Goodricke 3rds on the other hand, when they recover from this mauling, will be glad to know that it only gets easier from here.