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Photos: Jack Western
Wentworth 1sts will play in the final of the College Plate after a narrow win this afternoon against Vanbrugh 3rds. Vanbrugh put in a valiant performance against their loftier opponents, but were defeated by a single goal courtesy of a wonderful strike from Vaseileios Kourvelos.
The sides were even for the majority of the contest. It was a quiet start as both teams attempted to settle into their systems. Vanbrugh played a 3-5-2 formation with a couple of usual starters missing from their side, and created probably the best chances of the first half.
The first real moment of worry for Wentworth came 14 minutes in. A header from the edge of the D by Chris Mason went high in the air before taking a cruel bounce. Wentworth keeper Jon Cook, however, adjusted well to catch the ball on his line and avoid a bizarre goal.
A couple of minutes later, Dom McKinnon-Green met an Aaron Hooper corner, but his header went over the bar. Vanbrugh’s keeper Kallum Taylor also attempted two audacious free kicks from inside his own half: the first went well side of the target but the second only narrowly missed the post, after neither attackers nor defenders got a touch.
Wentworth’s best chance of the first half fell to Greg Harrison after 19 minutes. It was largely his own work in the build-up, but once through on goal he badly miscued an early shot and it went comfortably wide of Taylor’s goal.
The closest Vanbrugh came to scoring was courtesy of Aaron Hooper, five minutes before the break. His half-volleye clattered the crossbar from 25 yards before falling safely away from goal. On the stroke of half time, McKinnon-Green again came close with a header, but this time Cook saved with his legs at the back post.
Wentworth were improved in the second half, which got off to a lightning start. Inside two minutes, Harrison had a shot on target blocked by his own team-mate Dom Green, and shortly afterwards he had a free kick impressively saved by Taylor, who was in fine form. Taylor was called into action again moments later, Rob Sellers’ quick throw-in finding Dan Bawdon to nearly catch out the sleeping Vanbrugh defence.
The game settled again after the opening few minutes, but Kourvelos came into the game with a bang with a goal and a near miss.
He could have scored after 43 minutes after some brilliant build-up play, but his first touch allowed Taylor to swoop in and clear.
But three mintues later he made up for it with a wonderful goal from 30 yards. He wasn’t closed down by the Vanbrugh defence, and his shot stayed low to the ground making it difficult for Taylor to see.
The ball rifled into the bottom corner of the net, Taylor’s despairing dive allowing him to get fingertips to the ball, but only enough to make it hit the inside of the post and still go into the net.
Vanbrugh knew they needed a response, but despite their best efforts, couldn’t fashion a clear chance in the final ten minutes. Theo Dominion came close to doubling Wentworth’s lead on a quick break after Vanbrugh were left open at the back. Afterwards, nice play by Dave Clinton almost gave Green a goal, but his flick was cleared off the line by Keiran Higgins.
In the final minute Vanbrugh had appeals for handball waved away, before McKinnon-Green put a shot wide which was given offside.
The final whistle came as a relief to Wentworth who were not at their best, but had just enough to beat an impressive Vanbrugh 3rds side who, despite reaching the Plate final in 2012, can regard this year’s competition as a successful one.
Wentworth will meet the winner of tomorrow’ second semi-final, between Halifax 3rds and Derwent 2nds, in the final.