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Photos: Zoe Bennell
The sun was out on 22 acres and both teams looked ready and raring to go. This game was always going to be competitive, particularly with both teams having looked so promising thus far. Halifax the previous College Cup winners especially having just come from a comfortable 3 – 0 win over Vanburgh, and this was certainly reflected throughout the match.
After some early back and forth a strong James side captained by centre back Ralph Gill, got off to a solid start dominating the first half of the game, leading to an early goal due to a set piece from a corner taken by Josh Spurling. This trend continued with James looking particularly dangerous on the break with some spectacular runs from the midfield especially Freddie Ferrao, this was further demonstrated when Ferrao made a run from close to the halfway line to score a blinder of a goal into the top right corner of the net. James continued in this vein rapidly scoring two more goals bringing the score to 4 – 0, though this could easily have been higher given the chances without some excellent defending on Halifax’s behalf especially by captain Connor McCoy.
The second half resulted in a rapid shift in the dynamics of the game with Halifax looking like a completely different side, an early free kick not three minutes in almost resulted in a set piece if not for a brilliant save by James’s goalie Balzan. Shortly thereafter Giaro Heath scored Halifax’s first much needed goal, (his first for the team, this being only his second game). Halifax’s renewed spirits were apparent in their play resulting in another goal within the next four minutes. Going from strength to strength after maintaining possession with several impressive runs Halifax; (previously denied only by some inspiring defending from James,) scored their third goal their second by Heath, who was quickly becoming somewhat of a hero for the Halifax side. Halifax continued to show good form in opposition of a clearly tiring James side, however James would not be denied, defending until the last, resulting in a final well deserved score of 4 – 3 to James.
Of the game a disappointed Halifax captain Connor McCoy said: “It was a game of two halves, a disappointing first half given last week’s performance, with a much stronger second half.”
In contrast delighted James captain Ralph Gill said of his team: “Our tactics in the first half were spot on; we concentrated on cancelling their midfield attack which we knew was a great strength from their previous match against Vanburgh. We got some good early goals in, however exhaustion started to settle in by the start of the second half which was exploited by Halifax. Fitness was key; you could tell it was early on in the season.”
Overall both teams played some excellent football, and will definitely be ones to watch as the season progresses.
Vision MOTM: Freddie Ferrao
Who wrote this? You’ve completely made it up. 2 bob.