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Photos: Oliver Todd
A lacklustre Halifax side struggled to beat an improving Wentworth side who outplayed them for large periods of the game, only ultimately to succumb to an own goal and a Hamish Denham close range finish. Whilst Derwent, who Halifax defeated in June’s College Cup final, celebrated winning the league, Halifax finished the season with a relative whimper, perhaps undeservedly beating an ever improving Wentworth side.
Halifax took the lead within the first 5 minutes. Under no pressure Muklu Cukurova inexplicably headed into his own net leaving his own goalkeeper stranded, and Wentworth’s right-back with his head in his hands.
That was the only real moment of any interest in the first 20 minutes of a drab first-half, possibly characterised by the fact that neither side had much to play for on a typically bobble-ridden 22 acres pitch that rarely saw play of any quality in the first 45. Halifax’s Elliot Ragan was particularly wasteful, giving the ball away a number of times before sending a headed effort from a deep Craig Dean cross straight at Wentworth ‘keeper Jon Cook.
25 minutes in, Wentworth created their first real chance. Samik Datta took down a long ball beautifully on the left wing before cutting between 2 ‘fax defenders and into the penalty area, only to send his effort straight at the feet of Jonny Sim in the Halifax goal. This was followed minutes later by Dom Green slipping when presented with a great chance after a long-range freekick landed at his feet at the back post, only to see his scuffed strike saved easily by Sim.
Denham continued to instrumental for Halifax though, and they should have opened the scoring 10 minutes before half-time with the best chance of the half. Denham’s cross found Connor Mackin completely unmarked on the edge of the six yard box, although he somehow conspired to send his weak header wide of Cook’s goal.
Wentworth continued to threaten though and perhaps a better side would have punished Halifax before the break. The sides went in separated only by Cukurova’s own goal.
Sim had to be on top form to keep his side in front at the beginning of the 2nd half. Paes was denied twice by the ‘fax ‘keeper before Sim tipped another effort, this time from range, over the bar. Halifax’s class showed through though as they doubled their lead immediately after. A low cross found Denham’s right boot who easily converted into the bottom corner of the Wentworth net. It was an unlucky moment for a Wentworth side who didn’t deserve to be behind. Denham limped off soon after.
Wentworth finally claimed the goal they deserved 5 minutes after Halifax’s 2nd. Paes’ deflected effort found the bottom right-hand corner of Sim’s goal. And they should have equalised too, Lachlan Murray skinned ‘fax left-back Matt Darling before playing a fantastic ball into the six-yard box, only to see the ball go between experienced striker Dom Green’s legs.
With minutes to go Dean broke through on goal, only to wastefully fire wide when it was easier to score. It was one of Halifax’s few chances of the 2nd half where they had, for the most part been under the cosh from their bottom of the table opponents. However, they managed to hold out in order to secure 4th place in the college league table.
Halifax captain Jack Beadle told Vision: “It’s nice to end the season with a win against a very strong Wentworth side. It means we’re going into next season confident and we’re hoping to be challenging for the title.”
Wentworth’s Wayne Paes said, “I think it was an encouraging performance after a shaky start. If we can tighten up our defence for next season, we’re looking a good outfit, I think we’ll come together well for the next term.”
Vision MOTM: Hamish Denham. His impact was shown as ‘fax were severely weakened after he limped off following his second-half goal.
| Team | Pld | Pts | GD |
| Derwent | 7 | 18 | +18 |
| Vanbrugh | 7 | 14 | +13 |
| James | 7 | 14 | +3 |
| Halifax | 7 | 10 | +1 |
| Goodricke | 7 | 8 | -3 |
| Alcuin | 7 | 5 | -7 |
| Langwith | 7 | 5 | -16 |
| Wentworth | 7 | 3 | -8 |