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Photos: Oliver Todd
Derwent and Vanbrugh both had to settle for a point, as the top two sides from last term played out a 1-1 draw.
In a game packed with chances, Derwent deservedly took the lead on the half hour mark through Sven Sabas. But a much-improved Vanbrugh side denied Derwent the victory with fifteen minutes remaining, after a dominant second half, when striker Phil Taylor finished well at the second attempt.
In a game where both teams were missing several players, Derwent started the brighter. However it was Vanbrugh who went closest in the opening exchanges, when Rous-Ross latched raced on to a loose ball following a mix-up in the Derwent defence, but could only put his shot wide.
Derwent then began to turn their possession into chances, as driving runs from Alex D’Albertanson and the impressive Sabas earned free-kicks on the edge of the Vanbrugh penalty area. Sam Earle’s resulting strike from the second of these was half spilled by Wilson in the Vanbrugh goal, but he recovered well to deny the onrushing Derwent players.
From here the winter league champions raised the tempo, and really should have taken the lead when a long ball from the back put Sabas through. With the ‘keeper stranded the centre-forward had the goal gaping, but his lob drifted inches wide of the post.
After brave work from Wilson snuffed out another dangerous Sabas run, Vanbrugh broke speedily, but were denied the opener when Seb Treasure saved brilliantly from O’Dwyer.
The Derwent goal came in a way that typified the first half. A ball forward to Sabas was not dealt with by the Vanbrugh defence and the striker made no mistake this time, rounding the ‘keeper and finishing comfortably.
Controversy then struck, as Derwent were awarded a dubious penalty, after Earle appeared to be brought down by his own man. However Captain Wilson saved fantastically to deny Earle from the spot and keep the game at 1-0.
Vanbrugh improved significantly in the second half, keeping Treasure busy and dominating proceedings.
A well-constructed move from the right led to a Rous-Ross shot which was smartly tipped over by the ‘keeper, and moments later Treasure saved Derwent again, as the same player was denied by a smothering stop, following a dangerous run.
Further pressure was heaped onto the Derwent defence and it was Treasure who they were left to thank once more when he made the save of the game to prevent O’Dwyer levelling from close range.
Not for the first time, controversy struck, as Vanbrugh players were convinced the ball at crossed the line when Treasure misjudged a cross and Boughtflower hacked away.
However it was not long after that Vanbrugh got no less than they deserved. A cross from the right was met well in the air by Taylor, who finished sharply from the second attempt after yet another Treasure stop, leaving the game to finish 1-1.
Vanbrugh skipper Wilson said, “The lads did really well in the second-half and we were unlucky not to take all three points.” His opposite number, Joe Boughflower, felt “A lack of fitness showed. We had a good first half, but tired in the second, and were perhaps a little fortunate to get a point in the end.”