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Photos: Valeria Vallone
Last year’s College Cup winners Vanbrugh 1sts were knocked out of the College Cup this afternoon, as they suffered defeat at the hands of Halifax 2nds, 5-4 on penalties, after the game had ended 1-1 in normal time.
Phil Taylor who had earlier scuffed a penalty wide in normal time, fluffed the opportunity to send Vanbrugh through in the shootout, as his spot kick struck the post, sending the contest to sudden death. Connor Meckin then held his nerve with an excellent penalty, before Kyle Picknell blasted his penalty onto the post to send Halifax 2nds through to the semi-finals where they will meet their own 1st team on Monday.
Last year Vanbrugh were the heroes from the penalty spot, winning both their semi-final and final clashes in the shootout, but this year that elation turned into dismay, as they succumbed, despite scoring their first four penalties. Henry Collins meanwhile struck the post with his penalty, but all of his teammates scored, as Halifax scraped through.
In truth Halifax deserved their victory, as an unfortunate Mitch Barwick own goal rescued Vanbrugh, after Elliot Ragan had given Halifax a first half lead. Vanbrugh started brightly, with Taylor glancing a Rory Sharkey corner wide, before they were awarded a sixth minute penalty courtesy of a slide to block a Harry O’Brien freekick. Taylor confidently stepped up, but horribly scuffed his effort wide, leaving the score goalless.
Apart from that early chances were at a premium, but in the 16th minute Halifax took the lead, as Elliot Ragan latched onto a beautiful through ball by Hamish Denham, and slotted the ball home despite the best efforts of James Wilson. Five minutes later Halifax had an opportunity to double their lead, after Wilson spilt the ball, but Meckin’s cutback was well cleared by Woodall.
Vanbrugh were far from their best in the first half, as Halifax enjoyed the majority of the chances, Dave Lewis heading over from a corner, and Jonny McGuinness rifling a loose ball wide. Vanbrugh though almost equalised when Rory Sharkey delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, but unmarked Taylor could only slice his finish wide.
On the stroke of half time, the lively Connor McCoy almost created a second goal for Halifax, as his long range shot was only parried by Wilson into the path of Ragan, but the forward couldn’t get the ball from under his feet, and was only able to find the side nettng.
The defending champions were better after the break, but it was Halifax who enjoyed the early chances, Denham and McCoy both going close. A goalline clearance though was all that maintained their lead in the 37th minute, as O’Brien’s header from a Sharkey corner was hacked off the line.
Minutes later O’Brien came even closer, beating everyone with a long-range freekick, but his effort cannoned off the bar and to safety. At the other end Vanbrugh had Wilson to thank, as he produced an excellent sprawling save to deny a toe-poked finish from Connor Meckin, which kept Vanbrugh in the game.
And in the 51st minute they were level in fortuitous circumstances, as Taylor’s rasping 20 yard drive ricocheted off the bar and onto the back of ‘keeper Barwick, before crossing the line. Halifax players criticised the decision of referee Horsfall, but it appeared to be the correct one as Barwick attempted to claw the ball clear.
There was still time for more action, as Halifax pushed to restore their lead, McGuinness heading wide, and Meckin testing Wilson with the final kick of the game. For the third time this week we had a penalty shootout, and for the third time a 1st team were knocked out.
After the game a delighted Halifax captain Jonny McGuinness told Vision: “It was a good game today, really cagey at first. We got the early goal and sat on it a bit, before they got a late goal which took us to penalties. The lads did really well and congratulations to all the penalty takers, a bit harsh on Vanbrugh though.”
Injured Vanbrugh captain Jonny Grout added: “To lose on penalties is never a nice way to gout and we’re really disappointed. Best of luck though to Halifax in the semis.”
Vision MOTM: Elliot Ragan