Goodricke 1sts 2-0 Wentworth 1sts
Two goals from centre back Chris Grayland was enough for Goodricke to see off a persistent but otherwise toothless Wentworth.
An impenetrable back four and a domineering midfield provided the foundations for a solid, if not inspiring Goodricke victory. Wentworth, despite moments of quality, was unable to match Goodricke’s control over the match and never really threatened to upset the party.
Goodricke opened the scoring after only ten minutes when Wentworth ‘keeper Matt Taylor fumbled a Ben Smith free kick to allow the ever present Grayland to bundle the ball over the line.
The half was somewhat short of chances for either side as the sturdy rearguard of Goodricke blocked out much of the Wentworth attack although the men in green couldn’t capitalise on their team’s firm foundations. Goodricke had the better of the chances: captain Dave Coupland linking up well with Ben Smith though the striker was unlucky to see his shot was deflected off the woodwork.
A Dan Horsfall team-talk and half-time introduction of Samik Datta provided Wentworth with a spirited opening to the second half though they were once again undone by a set piece just minutes after the restart. An innocuous corner by Goodricke was headed home by an unmarked Grayland to bag his brace and settle the nerves of his team mates.
The final portion of the game was quiet affair as Goodricke looked to defend their lead. The Wentworth 1sts were contained within the midfield with Dom Green cutting a lonely figure at the head of his team’s attack.
Wentworth were given some hope of a comeback when Russ Kitson found himself through on goal after a Datta pass but he was left frustrated when the referee blew for offside.
The final chance of the game fell to Ben Smith whose mazy run left the Wentworth defence red-faced though once again he was thwarted by the post.
Goodricke were good value for their 2-0 win; a confidence performance by an efficient if not flamboyant team who will be difficult to beat come the quarter finals. Wentworth on the other hand, is now under serious pressure to win their final games and guarantee a passage into the knock-out rounds.
Alcuin 2nds 3-0 James 3rds
Controversial refereeing decisions marred a 3-0 win for Alcuin 2nds as they clashed with the James 3rds. Goals from Matthew Lang, Alex Brown and Paul Desoisa provided Alcuin with their first points of the campaign and eliminated the James 3rds from the competition.
Despite being underdogs it was James who started the better of the teams, Arran Bowen-la-Grange finding striker Andy Yates with a looping cross though Yates was unable to apply the finish and the chance went begging.
Alcuin responded instantly with Desoisa’s producing a defence splitting pass to play in Will Taylor for a one on one with James ‘keeper. Unfortunately Taylor’s poor shot flashed wide of the mark to keep the scores level.
The best chance of the half came after Andy Yates’ cross managed to find an unmarked Bowen-la-Grange lurking on the back post though his shot was saved in spectacular fashion by Alcuin stopper David Ambrozejczyk.
The half was summed up neatly by Alcuin’s Alex Brown who, after taking advantage of a defensive lapse in the James ranks, found himself one on one with ‘keeper Toby Owen. However a shocking finish saw the ball blaze over the bar leaving Brown and co. to enter the break with their heads in their hands.
The second half was a far more physical affair with heavy tackles flying in from both sides. Alcuin were quick to get off the mark and scored their decisive opener mere minutes after the break; Matthew Lang prodding past Owen.
Alcuin soon doubled their lead though it was tainted by controversial circumstances. A darting run by Taylor brought appeals for handball by the James defense though the referee ignored their cries and allowed play to continue. Taylor benefited from a lapse in concentration to play a lovely cross just over the box straight to the feet of Brown who pounced on it, eager to make amends for his earlier profligacy and move the score to 2-0.
More poor decisions followed as the referee began to flip-flop over simple issues. The game ended in yet more disagreement as Desoisa scored from what the James players believe to be an offside position, tempers flared as spectators became confused over whether the goal has even been given.
A contentious departure for James 3rds but a well earned win for the Alcuin 2nds; 3-0 the final score.
Photo by Marcus Roby
The build up for the third goal may have been offside but it was scored from outside the box (a box filled with james players) after the ball was fumbled from the james keeper. Desoisa offside though? Don’t think so.
First goal, Lang basically caught with his hands it as he forced his way past the James defence (I was watching from the side level with him), second was 5 yards of side as a conservative estimate and the third saw the James ‘keeper fouled before the ball ran outside the box
Chris I think your mixing up the goals with one another.
At no point for the first goal was the ball ever controlled in the air by Lang, he ran through a gap in the defence with the ball at his feet and prodded it past the keeper It was a perfectly legitimate goal which no-one could see any reason to dispute.
The handball incident was the second goal and though there was definatley evidence of a handball, there was no offside issues. This goal should not have been given.
The third goal had not only no offside, but rather than the james keeper being fouled he did not hold onto the ball after bundling into a static alcuin player which led to the goal outside the box.
*you’re