Alcuin 1sts: 5 Halifax 1sts: 1
In this week, more than most, it is easy to remember that there is more than one way to exit a cup competition. France did so stroppily at the World Cup, with ignominy bordering on disgrace. Nicolas Mahut did so at Wimbledon, something of a hero, albeit a knackered one. But rarely will an exit have left a feeling of stunned bemusement as that which Halifax must have experienced after this hammering by an irresistable Alcuin side.
From the outset Alcuin appeared to want the win, and the resultant berth in the final more than their opponents. Their effort and team unity were second to none, chasing every ball and in general giving 110% for the cause. Fax on the other hand were on the back foot after merely one minute of play when Joe Cooper’s tap in made it 1-0.
More misery was to come to Halifax before half time. Firstly Miles Mcdermott’s corner somehow managed to find the head of Ali Laird, the smallest player on the pitch, who planted a firm header past Mark Lund in the Halifax goal and there was a sense of deja vu when Sam Reiss rose unmarked to make it 3-0. At the other end Alcuin goalkeeper Michael Wynd was little more than a spectator, though he did show himself more adept than Rob Green at handling a Jabulani struck from distance.
Halifax did turn up the effort after the interval but it was unfortunate for them that Alucin took the opportunity afforded them by a 3 goal cushion to turn up the skill. Their 4th goal simply oozed class. Jack Crane played an ambitious ball down the right hand side which the impressive man-of-the-match Laird did well to keep in after he had chased it down with whippet like pace. The forward then followed this up with a composed pull back which found Dan Cox whose neat footwork was followed by a deft finish.
Alcuin’s day was somewhat marred when Dom Petschak headered a consolation for Halifax, but they ended on a high, Phil Bowers sliding home the 5th. The crowd were left to wonder what had happened to the quality Halifax side we have come to expect, but on this form it would be hard for any side to live with Alcuin. They must surely now be favourites to lift the cup. After this display they’ve probably cleared a space for it in their trophy cabinet already.