Langwith 1sts brushed aside Vanbrugh 4ths in the opening encounter of the College Vase yesterday, Sam Woodall scoring four times in a 5-2 victory. The teams were more evenly matched than the scoreline suggests, but Langwith showed their extra quality where it counted in front of goal.
It was Vanbrugh who took a surprise lead after four minutes through Chris Mason, before Woodall levelled the scores shortly afterwards. Andy Hutt nearly made it two, but turned provider after 14 minutes as his ball over the top expertly found Woodall, who got the touch ahead of onrushing keeper Will Light.
Shortly before the half time whistle Langwith scored a third, and Woodall completed his hat trick. Captain Matt Jones had a shot well blocked by the Vanbrugh defence. The ball rebounded to Woodall, who still had much to do but he nonchalantly flicked the ball with the outside of his boot and into the corner of the net.
The second period was more open as Langwith tried to turn on the style, and Vanbrugh pushed to get back into the game. Ten seconds in, Woodall was through on goal but placed wide. Two minutes later he made amends, though, powering past the last defender and hitting into the far corner of the goal for 4-1.
Langwith soon made it 5-1, a bouncing ball not dealt with by Vanbrugh, and Matt Morton swooped in, his well struck shot evading Light’s fingertips but going under the bar.
Vanbrugh did manage a consolation, once again from Mason. Jones bizarrely blasted the ball towards his own net, hitting keeper Kris Cheshire, with the rebound falling kindly for Mason to tap in. They had numerous chances in the final ten minutes to add more, but to no avail.