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Photos: Jack Western
Joe Mann opened the scoring and then set up two more as Goodricke ran out 4-0 winners over Alcuin today on the 3G at York Sport Village.
The day’s college football schedule was decimated for the second week in a row by cancellations on 22 acres, meaning this was the only game to go ahead.
The game was hard fought for long periods, but Goodricke were able to call on their extra quality to come through in the end. Striker James Gutteridge, as well as Mann, was a constant threat, particularly in the first half where he had a number of chances.
For Alcuin, the main threats were the pacy forward Danny Matthews, and Chris Houlgate who put in a strong display in a more advanced role than usual as right wing back.
For most of the first half, the game was a tight affair. Both sides had chances to open the scoring, though Goodricke probably had the best of them. Gutteridge had an early shot well saved by Alcuin ‘keeper Dave Marshall in the third minute.
Alcuin too had early opportunities, particularly from the set pieces of Josh Allen. Harry Billimore connected with a low corner at the near post but his shot was blocked on the line, before Jacob Burge rose above the Goodricke defence from a wide free-kick, only to see a deflection send his header wide of the uprights.
Around the middle of the half, Goodricke had two good chances to go ahead. Gutteridge’s shot from outside the area looped over the bar, and a minute later his cross found Mann, whose header looped onto the top of the bar, though referee Dylan Chambers had blown for offside.
And as half-time drew near, Goodricke started to turn the screw. Gutteridge embarked on a mazy run before sliding his shot past the post on 39 minutes. Four minutes later, the men in green took the lead. Dave Bullock found space to cross from the right, finding Mann on the edge of the area. The Goodricke captain’s sweetly struck half-volley found the top corner, leaving Marshall with no chance.
Buoyed by their goal, Goodricke had their best spell of possession at the start of the second half. Though clear-cut chances were few and far between, Goodricke began to control midfield, whilst also being able to deal with Alcuin’s attacks.
Depsite this, they had centre back Luke Parker to thanks for keeping the score at 1-0. His last-ditch sliding block denied Allen, who had been fed through on goal by a clever, jinking run from Houlgate.
All of a sudden after 67 minutes, the nature of the game transformed. Goodricke, who previously had numerous chances but only converted one, scored three in quick succession to put the game beyond doubt. Their composed play gave way for more frantic and fast-paced attacking, which paid dividends, though at 2-0 Alcuin had their best spell of possession too.
It was substitute Mizan Ally who doubled the Goodricke advantage. A beautiful first touch from Mann released him down the right hand side after a throw in, and he made his square ball look simple as the unmarked Ally placed the ball past Marshall.
Despite Alcuin having a stronger few minutes, the game was made safe at 3-0 ten minutes later. A cross from deep by another substitute, Jordan Tostevin, found Mann, whose cushioned header gave Gutteridge the simplest of goals, and he made no mistake.
Houlgate had a chance to pull one back for Alcuin, but his powerful shot hit the bespectacled ‘keeper Danny Munroe square in the face, knocking off his glasses but, importantly, preventing a goal. On 80 minutes, Goodricke added another thanks to Tostevin, who sprinted clear onto Gutteridge’s through ball and slotted his shot just inside the near post.
Alcuin’s best chance of the game came late on, as Billimore flashed a shot well over from close range, a kick more suited to the rugby pitch than a football one. Once again, Alcuin’s inability to test Munroe in the Goodricke goal came back to haunt them, though even if Billimore had converted it would have been merely a consolation two minutes from time. The chance was created as Houlgate’s lovely cross found Matthews, whose first time lay-off gave Billimore the one-on-one opportunity.
Though 4-0 was perhaps a little harsh on Alcuin, they could have no complaints about the result. While Alcuin struggled to convert their opportunities, Goodricke were more composed both in possession and in front of goal.
A delighted Joe Mann said after the game “First half I thought we were a bit sloppy, passing wise, but second half, can’t fault that at all, I think we thoroughly deserved it.” A reflective Alcuin skipper Chris Boyd agreed, saying “I thought they were really good. At 2-0 we got back into the game, and had quite a lot of possession, but they deserved to win 4-0.”
Goodricke: Munroe; Hurd, Osbourne, Parker, Thomas (Tostevin 55′); Bullock, Cottingham (Ally 31′), Enness, Gilbanks; Mann; Gutteridge.
Alcuin: Marshall; Bentham, Boyd, Kennick; Houlgate, Burge, Dodgson, Nazzicone; Billimore; Matthews, Allen (Carver 77′).
Vision MOTM: Joe Mann
This referee sounds class.