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Photos: Oliver Todd
A repeat of last year’s final was decided in an epic penalty shoot-out as Derwent 1st got revenge for their defeat last year against champions Alcuin 1sts.
Derwent lined up in a slightly more defensive formation than usual, with Dan Atherton operating as a lone front man and Xander Brinkworth providing the main channel of support from midfield. Alcuin too started with one upfront, as they looked to Scott Brown to provide the goals to secure them an upset.
A tense atmosphere was reflected in a nervous start from both sides. Inside two minutes, a long ball from Matt Worsfold ran deep into the Alcuin box. Brinkworth looked to be first to it but was pulled back by Paul Reiss, and referee Dan Horsfall, who has been picking up on shirt-pulling a lot in his previous games, pointed to the spot. Atherton stepped up to take it. Having scored for the University against Lancaster at Roses, one of the biggest games of the season, most spectators would have expected Atherton to bury his penalty. It wasn’t to be though. A poor low effort saw goalkeeper Ambrozejczyk, who performed heroics for Alcuin 3rds last week, save low to his left.
Derwent were rattled, and withdrew into their shell. Alcuin’s hardworking midfield, particularly captain Phil Bowers, won most of the first and second balls, and marshalled Derwent’s prolific trio of Atherton, Brinkworth and Matt Hallam, allowing them little time and space when they found themselves in possession. For all that hard work though, Alcuin created little until midway through the first half, Paul Reiss almost making amends for conceding the penalty, striking the ball as it dropped to him in the area following a corner, although it was well blocked by two Derwent defenders desperately diving in.
Derwent grew stronger as the half went on though, and began to re-emerge as the team that went unbeaten through Group 3. Josh Baines’ long throw-in was headed back to him and, having already scored 2 goals in this year’s competition, he volleyed it back towards goal, only to find Ambrozejczyk’s side netting with the goalkeeper beaten. Brinkworth, who has performed so well in tight games for Derwent in the group, limped off late in the half following a fair challenge by Will Taylor, to be replaced by Jake Farrell, and at half-time, the two sides went in level, with Atherton’s missed golden opportunity at the front of everyone’s minds.
The second-half continued much as the first ended. Again, there were few chances although the best of a bad bunch fell to Alcuin. Simon Reiss found himself in space in the Derwent penalty area, and, on an awkward turn, bobbled a shot towards goal. With the ball heading for the far corner, Derwent goalkeeper Seb Treasure, at full stretch, tipped the ball away and Alcuin were unable to capitalise upon the rebound.
Derwent, despite creating little, were the better side in the second-half, only to be thwarted by the excellent Boyd and Wood at the heart of the Alcuin defence. With minutes to go, Atherton got his head on a Hallam corner. Just when redemption for his penalty miss seemed certain, Will Taylor fantastically cleared the ball off the line at the far post to draw gasps from the increasingly restless Derwent support on the touchline. As the final whistle went, the inevitable was to come. Penalties had been mentioned by spectators throughout, and finally a cagey game had come down to spot kicks.
Derwent, having seen their 2nds side win a shoot-out two days previous, were to take the first penalty. Hallam, and Atherton scored for them, whilst Bowers and Wood scored for Alcuin, with Tapper, Desoisa, Baines and Brown missing. Jake Farrell missed Derwent’s fifth, leaving Simon Reiss with the chance to become a hero, only for his effort to be saved by Treasure.
The penalties continued, with both Treasure and Ambrozejczyk on top form, in total ultimately saving 7 penalties between them. Derwent captain Joe Broughtflower missed his sides ninth penalty, leaving Boyd with the opportunity to send the league champions out. However, Boyd’s poor penalty was again saved by Treasure, and after Cresswell scored Derwent’s tenth penalty, the pressure was too much for the unfortunate Paul Reiss, who saw his effort caught by Treasure to spark wild celebrations from Derwent’s players and supporters.
Alcuin captain Phil Bowers was understandably gutted, saying, ”I’m devastated, I thought we defended brilliantly all game, we matched them, and all the lads did all they could and it just came down to the luck of the draw on penalties, and luck wasn’t on our side.” Derwent captain Joe Broughtflower was relieved, having missed his penalty, to see his side advance. “Maybe were a bit too defensive after the first ten minutes, and we got a little bit nervous. We can play a lot better, we need to play a lot better. Penalties were too nervous for me!”
Derwent 1sts march on to face Halifax 2nds in the semi-finals, whilst Alcuin bow out gracefully, having given their best as reigning champions, but ultimately being ousted by an excellent Derwent side through the lottery of penalties.
Vision MOTM: Shared between ‘keepers David Ambrozejczyk and Seb Treasure. Both fantastic throughout and in the shoot-out.
Penalties:
1-0 Matt Hallam SCORED
1-1 Phil Bowers SCORED
1-1 Jacob Tapper MISSED
1-1 Paul Desoisa MISSED
2-1 Dan Atherton SCORED
2-2 Bradley Wood SCORED
2-2 Josh Baines MISSED
2-2 Alex Brown MISSED
2-2 Jake Farrell MISSED
2-2 Simon Reiss MISSED
3-2 David Kirk SCORED
3-3 Will Taylor SCORED
4-3 Matt Worsfold SCORED
4-4 Joe Smith SCORED
5-4 Andy Jeffreys SCORED
5-5 Graham Kimber SCORED
5-5 Joe Boughtflower MISSED
5-5 Chris Boyd MISSED
6-5 Ben Creswell SCORED
6-5 Paul Reiss MISSED