James 1sts will fancy their chances of progressing to the Cup semi-finals today as they gear up for their clash with the lowest ranked side to qualify for the knockout stages.
Halifax 3rds are the only 3rd team left in the competition, having pipped Goodricke 2nds to 2nd place in Group 1 despite losing their last two games, and will go into the clash with the tournament favourites on a downward streak.
Whilst this tie looks the easiest to predict, it therefore also provides the biggest opportunity for an upset. James stuttered in their final group game, both failing to win and score for the first time in the competition, as they played out a 0-0 draw with Vanbrugh 2nds, and the result may just have sown a few seeds of doubt in the minds of a group of players previously sky high on confidence.
The men in black notched up a staggering 21 goals in their first four games, including a punishing 8-0 rout of Wentworth 2nds and a 6-0 demolition of Goodricke 3rds.
It is no doubt that their star of the show, and the man who has taken the 2012 College Cup by storm, is striker Tom Clarke. Much maligned for his poor showing last season, the ex-Yeovil Town man has been in scintillating form so far, scoring nine goals in five games including two hat-tricks.
At his best, any team will struggle to deal with him, and the likes of Smith and Arezoo will have to be outstanding at the back if Halifax are to keep him quiet and secure a shock progression to the semis.
Halifax goalkeeper Shin Murata will also need to keep up the form that has helped propel his side into the knockout stages. Murata was man of the match in his side’s crucial 1-0 victory over James 3rds, and has been an important player for them throughout the competition.
Halifax’s main issue will come in matching James for goals – they have never scored more than two so far this campaign, and have often relied upon late winners to chalk up their points.
The main battle for them, then, is their defence against James’ formidable front three. If they can somehow subdue Clarke and co. then you never know, ‘Fax may just be able to pull off one of the biggest upsets in College Cup history.
Prediction: James 1sts 3-0 Halifax 3rds
Players to watch: Tom Clarke (James 1sts) and Kieran Gennoy (Halifax 3rds)