Halifax 1sts 6 – Langwith 2nds 0
Another devastating performance from Halifax 1sts reaffirmed their College Cup chances, as they hit a valiant Langwith 2nds side for six. A hat-trick from Tom Ragan, the first of the tournament so far, and a share of the goals between Alex Tringham, Conor Brennan and Jack Beadle completed the rout in the midday kickoff.
Despite the odds being firmly stacked in Halifax’s favour, humid conditions making it unbearable occasionally for some players, in particular, Michael Cotterill who saw shades of blue, which effectively reduced Langwith to 9 men for much of the match, it was nonetheless, a resolute performance from the yellows. Although the opening third of the game could be reminiscent of severe bombardment, attack versus defence, Langwith’s ability to hold the quality of Halifax at bay, particular in decisive areas, could not be faulted.
Fundamentally, Langwith had Halifax restricted to long-range efforts, and even the coolness of figures such as Ash Daly and Joe Brennan were beginning to vent their frustration, as captain Mark Lund watched on from the sidelines. However, it seemed inevitable Halifax would eventually get their way, and when Alex Tringham was given time to shoot, 25 yards out, he needed no invitation. This time, Tom Lambert would be forced to pick out the ball from his net, as the ball curled low beyond his diving far right side.
If the first goal was decent, the second goal was a piece of individual class from Conor Brennan. With his back to goal, the striker had the audacity to trust in his agility and athleticism, to over-head kick beyond a helpless Lambert, in arguably the goal of the tournament so far. At the interval, a conceivably brave display from Langwith had saw them two goals worse off.
The introduction of full-back Lund after the interval improved Halifax’s game, especially Tom Ragan who suddenly burst into life. His industrious workload on the pitch could be a critical part in Halifax’s College Cup success, as he took his first of the game via header, then converted from close range for both his 2nd and 3rd respectively. Not quite the perfect hat-trick, but again, further evidence of Halifax’s talent.
And with Jack Beadle proving a tricky customer along the flanks, more goals on the cards looked possible. Indeed, prior to Ragan’s hat-trick, Halifax had another goal, as Ragan got goal side of the Langwith defence, and calmly dispatched into the net. Overall, the 6-0 scoreline was irrelative of Langwith’s performance on the side, whom showed that with the likes of Liam Condron and Michael Palmer at the back they do have hope yet in this tournament. Meanwhile, for Halifax, the march to College Cup success continues to prove its case, for a team, that will take some stopping.
Vanbrugh 1sts 7 – Goodricke 3rds 0
By Stephen Holcroft
As the summer afternoon weather continued to rein supreme over the JLD, so did the promise of further goals in Group B. Whereas Halifax 1sts hit Langwith 2nds for six earlier in the day, Vanbrugh went one better in dismantling Goodricke 3rds, who were perhaps left feeling a little caught up in the heat. Likewise, Ali Prince made certain that Tom Ragan’s hat-trick wouldn’t go unnoticed, as he piled together three of his own, with his heading ability perhaps worthy of a crown itself.
The preliminary goals came courtesy of a so-called ‘’double act’’ between Vanbrugh captain, Dan Hewitt, and Prince, with the former possessing a throw, which Goodricke proved unequipped to deal with. Reminiscent of a training ground routine, Hewitt launched onto the prized, shaven head of Prince, and beyond Goodricke’s goalkeeper Jon Cook, for both the first and second goals.
Much similar to the first of the day’s matches, onlookers were promised a bonanza of goals after the first half. With relative ease, Prince managed to pick up as hat-trick as Goodricke began to appear heat-stricken as well as mentally jaded as Vanbrugh searched for more. Ben Stanier managed to get in on the act after pouncing on a loose ball. A string of fine saves from Cook, managed to keep the score at a certain respectability for Goodricke 3rds, before the 5th, 6th and 7th goals arrived.
Where Goodricke 3rds faulted in the first half, they again suffered the consequences in the second, as an all-too familiar Hewitt throw – in was this time, pounced upon by Phil Taylor. From a corner set-piece, Ben Stanier placed into the box, and Dan Radford had his first of the tournament. And to settle matters, substitute Jamie Clarke pushed his claim for a starting line-up place, as he slotted home Ali Prince’s through-ball. Fortunately, Goodricke take to the shade and reflect on a their day’s play.
All photos by Siobhàn Crittenden.