College Cup: Monday Week 5

Derwent 1sts 1 – 0 Vanbrugh 3rds

In a game where Derwent lacked in convincing finishing upfront, they nevertheless, managed to prevail over Vanbrugh by the single goal, courtesy of Chris Barnett’s goal in the first half.

The ‘Derwent Army’ dominated for large spells of the game in another fine day on the JLD, and when Barnett put them ahead in the opening quarter, following fantastic wing play by Alex Cooper, it seemed Derwent would prove too much for their opponents. Striker Ed Lacaille was less clinical, however, as, despite managing to make himself unmarked, headed well over from within the box. Derwent continued to threaten, but Nav Jabarkhyl, in similar scenes to his strike partner, failed to take full advantage of a corner played across the Vanbrugh goal.

Certainly, as the game entered the second half, Vanbrugh’s belief as much as their sideline support, grew. And when Vanbrugh’s Max Walter, risked a shot, from all but 30 yards on the right flank, David Attwood, normally composed, looked less so, but relieved to see the ball anxiously, trickle wide. Meanwhile, at the opposing end, James Wilson was producing a sterling Vanbrugh goalkeeping performance, to take this game to the dying moments.

Vanbrugh continued to take heart from their supporters’ increasing feverish pitch, as they looked long at every moment, which had Derwent defenders, Dom Henney, and Steve Walwyn on the edge. Fortunately for Derwent, on a day where the sun continued to shine, there was no chance of the blues affecting them. Although not a memorable display by Matt Hallam’s men, still, it’s another vital three points in their march to the knockout stages.

Vanbrugh 2nds 4 -1 Wentworth 2nds

Vanbrugh 2nds atoned for their colleges’ disappointment earlier in the day, as they cruised to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Wentworth 2nds. All four goals for Vanbrugh came in a first half onslaught, which left Wentworth down and beaten at the interval. Tom Spring, Isaac Parkinson, Vest Waterson and then Matt Scaysbrook provided the Greens’ goals, whilst a consolation for Dave Worsley reduced Wentworth’s arrears to three.

If Monday was the day when Wentworth were to become victims of a failure to contest set-pieces, then, their countless errors will hopefully provide them a concise lesson. First, Vanbrugh captain, Vest Waterson’s corner found Spring who catapulted a shot high into Dan Horsfall’s goal to make it 1-0. Then, Parkinson slotted home Waterson’s following corner to double the score, before Waterson made his own of the game through a well-placed freekick, to advance Wentworth’s deficit to three.

However, the major talking point of the afternoon was yet to arrive. With the game beyond Wentworth after 20 minutes, Waterson decided to test his dead-ball utility even further, this time favouring power over placement. From a matter of thirty yards, the skipper witnessed his rifle free-kick cannon off the crossbar, and seemingly bounce down over the line. If now was a time to introduce goal line technology into the College Cup, this was it. The referee, Chris Grayland, however, considered the ball not to have gone over, instead giving the goal to Sascha Bonomally who followed through with the rebound. At the interval, Grayland reversed his decision, instead awarding Waterson with his second of the game.

Wentworth arrived for the final half hour in a much more spirited manner than the first, and positioned Samik Datta, from his customary left-back position to the forward line, to provide instant attacking pace. The difference was clear, and the half was far from the one-sided show of the first. Forward, Dom Green, workman-like in the first half, was now beginning to rediscover his form, and saw his admirable half-volley rebound out off the crossbar, after, hitting the side netting. Wentworth’s consolation then came 10 minutes from the end as Worsley rounded James Wilson, and calmly placed into the net. Wentworth can take heart from the improved display after their 30 minute drubbing. As for Vanbrugh 2nds, they will be very hopeful of a place in the knock-out draw.