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Photos: Jack Western
Wentworth 1sts triumphed in the Plate Final after an entertaining 4-2 win over Halifax 3rds.
The postgraduates appeared to be heading out of sight when two Vasileious Kourvelos goals and another from David Clinton established a 3-0 lead after just 15 minutes.
However, a Halifax comeback was on the cards after Johnny Stansfield pulled a goal back before half-time and Alec Reick’s stunning volley after the restart cut Wentworth’s advantage to 3-2.
Halifax dominated the second half but couldn’t find a way to take the contest to penalties, and Wentworth defender Iain Parker added a fourth at the very end to secure victory.
The victory marks the second year in a row in which a postgraduate side has won the Plate, as Wentworth 2nds beat Vanbrugh 3rds in 2012. For Wentworth 1sts, it caps an excellent season in which they also claimed the Spring Term league title.
With Halifax sleeping in the early stages, Wentworth established what was ultimately an insurmountable lead. After just five minutes, Clinton capitalised on sloppy marking at a corner to sweep in a low corner from former University Challenge panellist, Ben Keane.
Moments later, the advantage was doubled as Kourvelos guided a low shot just outside the box into the bottom corner, leaving Halifax ‘keeper Denham unsighted as the ball curled around his defenders.
The same man then latched on to midfielder Greg Harrison’s through ball before steering home a cool finish to make it 3-0.
Halifax finally mustered a shot, albeit an off-target one, when Ed Henry blasted a fierce volley just wide of Cook’s right upright.
Carrying a steadily increasing threat, Halifax pulled one back on the 20-minute mark. Johnny Stansfield, a Halifax 5ths player last year, crashed a header onto the bar and over the line. Referee Matt Bainbridge was well-placed to give the marginal decision and award a goal.
After the break, Halifax demonstrated their potential with some wonderful one-touch passing, cutting Wentworth to pieces. And it appeared as though Istanbul Act II was on the cards when Rieck unleashed a spectacular volley from 15 yards beyond Cook’s flailing arm.
Wentworth brought on veteran Wayne Paes to add stability to the midfield but Halifax continued to create chances at will.
Ryan Doherty should have done better than blaze over from Stansfield’s cross before Denham’s long free kick bounced agonisingly wide after evading everyone in the penalty area.
In the last action of the game, Parker put the result beyond doubt for Wentworth when he tapped in from a corner.
After the match, Wentworth captain Dom Green was delighted with the performance: “I’m immensely proud of the team. For Wentworth to win the Plate and a league title as well in one season is fantastic.”