Alcuin staged a thrilling comeback from 3-0 down in what was a game of two halves, but it wasn’t enough to beat a well-drilled Vanbrugh side.
The two sides began steadily, with the opening few minutes passing off relatively quietly with both sides evenly matched. As the half developed Vanbrugh steadily gained control, dominating possession and making forays into the Alcuin half.
Alcuin keeper Ben Bugeja fumbled the ball; Kyle Picknell picked it up, and instead of going for individual glory, he unselfishly laid it out to Johnny Grout who coolly slotted it home for Vanbrugh’s first.
After this, Vanbrugh were very much on top for the remainder of the half. Alcuin scored highly in the application department, but they were unable to offer little in the way of penetration. Vanbrugh continued to have chances and it wasn’t long before a beautiful second goal came from Elliot Ross to make it 2-0.
Vanbrugh remained on top as the half- time whistle approached; although Alcuin had their chances, Danny Matthews having his shot blocked by some last ditch Vanbrugh defending.
Alcuin started the second half brightly, and it seemed that they had established a foothold in the game. These hopes appeared to have been dashed however, when Elliot Ross scored a thundering header for Vanbrugh, off a John Sanderson corner.
However, to Alcuin’s credit they didn’t give up, and they were rewarded soon after when out of nowhere Sean Perera smashed the ball home. With the score 3-1, the odds were still stacked against Alcuin, but as the game opened up, and with Vanbrugh looking a shadow of their first half selves a comeback was on the cards.
As the final whistle neared Alcuin were awarded a corner, which was fumbled by the Vanbrugh ‘keeper. What can best be described as a melee then ensued before the ball dribbled over the line. With hardly any time left Alcuin kicked on and right at the death Matthews had a good chance to complete an unlikely comeback, but his shot flew narrowly over the bar.
Alcuin captain Greg Fearn was disappointed with the result, but pleased with the second half performance, and said: “We came off at half-time and I was really annoyed to be honest. To come back and win the second half 2-1 means a lot to me.”
His opposite number Joe Lund told Vision: “We had a good first half; we played well with good football. We were scrappy to let them back into it, but I think we deserved the three points.”