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Photos: Ruth Gibson
In a game with a multitude of chances, a draw seemed the fairest result as both teams showed admirable resistance to strike back when required, notwithstanding some sloppy defending.
It was Vanbrugh, a team depleted by injuries to key players such as Phil Taylor and Rob Rix, who threatened first. Defender Ziggy Heath managed to get on the end of one of Jon Gill’s bullet-like long throws, forcing a superb save from Wentworth goalkeeper Dom Green. This warning kicked Wentworth into action, with the effervescent Andrea Marcheggiano threatening the Vanbrugh goal with a curling shot.
It was, however, Vanbrugh who were now creating the chances. Striker Elliott Rous Ross fired just wide after clever play from fellow frontman Adam Lewis, and once again Ziggy Heath had a chance to put his side ahead as he headed over from a corner.
Yet for all Vanbrugh’s attacking promise, they did look vulnerable at the back, and a long ball from Wentworth keeper Green managed to evade the whole backline, with Marcheggiano just failing to convert the one-on-one. The striker was involved again as he ghosted past Heath to sit up a cross only for Lachlan Murray to head wide. Another long ball gifted Marcheggiano another opportunity but Vanbrugh keeper James Wilson did well to keep him out.
If the first half refused to yield goals, the opening stages of the second suggested this half would not be a similar affair. After a cleverly weighted ball from Samik Datta, Marcheggiano finally grabbed his goal as he poked past Wilson. Wentworth’s lead would not last long though, after a champagne goal from Max Poynter-Hall. Ben Stanier’s in-swinging corner was headed out by Wentworth, only for Poynter-Hall to send a sweet first-time volley into Green’s top corner.
After the elation of such a fantastic goal, Vanbrugh were quickly brought back down to earth after some calamitous defending allowed Sam Taylor to score against his former team with a simple finish to take the lead again. The frenetic scoring was not over, though, when another throw from Gill caused confusion in the Wentworth box. It was Vanbrugh’s Kieran O’Dwyer who reacted first, squeezing the equaliser into the far corner to make it 2-2.
Both teams now pushed forward in search of the winner, and chances came and went for each side. A lovely ball from the accomplished Wayne Paes sent Marcheggiano through on goal but he was again thwarted by a superb Wilson save. Rous Ross saw another chance go begging, sliding the ball just wide after a powerful run.
Marcheggiano was involved again as he sent a dangerous ball into the box, only for substitute Dan Shepherd to intervene with a fantastic last-ditch tackle. As the game reached its latter stages, it was Vanbrugh who seemed the most threatening and after some impressive work down the right by Adam Lewis, Elliott Rous Ross managed to win his side a penalty after being unfairly felled in the area. Jon Gill duly converted as Vanbrugh took the lead for the first time, with what seemed like the winner.
Wentworth were not finished, however. Vanbrugh sloppily relinquished the ball in the centre and Sam Taylor slid the ball into Murray who placed his shot past the diving Wilson to cap a breathless second half and grab a stoical Wentworth a deserved point and leave Vanbrugh frustrated at their inability to hold onto their hard-earned lead.
VISION MOTM: Andrea Marcheggiano.
I heard your Man of the match ‘Andrea Marcheggiano’ lives in Vanbrugh but played for Wentworth today. Just saying.
He most definitely lives in Wentworth. Actually in the college.
Opening games are all about new captains, but to watch Vanbrugh you’d think Tom Sheldrick had returned. Route one for 90 minutes and some pretty heavy tackles as a consequence of being absolutely incapable of dealing with pace.
Absolutely top goal from Max though
I am living in Wentworth College.