Goodricke 2nds and Langwith 2nds will meet tomorrow at 2pm to decide the winners of this year’s college vase, in what promises to be a hotly contested encounter between the two remaining teams from Heslington East.
Goodricke booked their place in the final by defeating Langwith 1sts 2-1 in an exciting clash on Monday, and therefore will start as favourites tomorrow, whilst Langwith’s passage to this stage was somewhat easier as they cruised to a 2-0 victory over Alcuin 3rds.
A stunning strike by Chris Osborne helped Goodricke to victory on Monday, and the midfielder is likely to be one of the key individuals in Thursday’s contest. Osborne has been Goodricke’s star performer to date contributing goals, assists and a number of key interventions at both ends of the pitch.
Fellow crossover player Joe Mann is also one of the most skilful players at this level, and Langwith will have to be at their best to curtail the threat of Goodricke’s star players, or else a hard game will be in store. Captain Fabian Ashurst is also likely to pose problems down the wing, whilst the side demonstrated its goalscoring prowess by demolishing Langwith 3rds in the group stage.
Langwith though appear to be revitalised, after two good performances by the 2nds to progress through to the final. Against Alcuin 3rds they controlled the game for vast periods, and in the form of Sam Woodall they have a natural goalscorer, as demonstrated by his sublime flicked finish through the legs of Michael Thurloway on Tuesday.
Defensively Langwith have vastly improved over the past weeks, and centre halves Sam Morley and Mark Starling have provided a solid core for the side. Fan favourite Errol Waters and fellow full back Tom Rudden have also grown into the tournament, with Rudden particularly impressing in the semi-final against Alcuin, where his sublime cross created the first goal.
Goodricke though are likely to carry a more potent attacking threat than Alcuin did earlier on in the week, and ‘keeper Oliver Williamson looks set to have a more testing and busy day than he did on Tuesday.
Overall it has been a difficult season for Langwith as their sides, and in particularly the 1st team, have struggled. However, lifting the vase would provide a major morale boost at the end of the year, and signal a successful end to a turbulent campaign. Sealing victory though won’t be easy, and they will start as underdogs against a Goodricke side who will feel that they underperformed in the group stages, but have since embarked upon a three match winning run.
Crowds at the vase knockout matches have been small over the past two weeks, but hopefully a large number will line the JLD at 2pm, as the vase kicks off what promises to be an enthralling afternoon of football.
Stat: Goodricke 2nds have already beaten Langwith 1sts and 3rds, and will now be looking to complete the job against Langwith 2nds.
Key Player:
Goodricke 2nds, Chris Osborne: One of the best performers in the tournament, Osborne has produced a series of stunning displays, which have caught the attention of many onlookers.
Langwith 2nds, Sam Morley: Langwith are likely to have to be at their best defensively, and they will be looking for the captain to lead by an example, as he forms the linchpin of their defence.
Vision Prediction: A feisty encounter lies in store, as both teams battle it out to be crowned vase champions, but Goodricke to eventually claim a 2-1 win through goals from Mann and Ashurst.