It’s week three and the sun is shining, which can only mean one thing: the College Cup is underway! The highlight of the college sport year has seen the big sides come through largely unscathed.
It would be a bit much to say that the competition started with a bang, with early signs indicating that the big teams are up for this year’s competition. Still some interesting results have come about.
It is with pride that I can say I was involved in two such results. In fact, only two matches in the opening week have seen lower ranked teams claim points from supposed ‘superiors’ and I had the privilege to play in both matches. I say ‘privilege,’ though my knees may disagree with that sentiment.
On Monday, due to the unavailability of the usual keeper, my services were called upon for Alcuin 2nds in their big match against Langwith 1sts. It was important for both sides; Alcuin knew that any ambitions of progressing to the Cup knockouts rested on finishing above Langwith, and so the 1-1 scoreline keeps that well on the cards.
Having been 1-0 up a half time there was a degree of disappointment in the team with the final result, but at the end of the day it was a draw against a 1sts side, and Langwith were putting on the pressure towards the end.
Starting with a defeat would have been a huge setback; a draw keeps Alcuin 2nds right in the hunt for a top two finish.
22 hours after that game ended I was back at the JLD as Alcuin 3rds kicked off their campaign. Alcuin 3rds have traditionally been one of the whipping boys of college football, but that is no longer the case, as our 1-1 draw with Derwent 2nds goes to show.
Last year, we were beaten 5-0 in the College Cup by Derwent 2nds. The team has benefited hugely from continuity (it has been roughly the same squad for the past two years) and unity; I would be astounded if there was a more close-knit side in college football.
Sure, Derwent were on top almost throughout, but we set up tactically for the game in the perfect manner. We went 1-0 down inside ten minutes, and you would be forgiven for expecting us to crumble. Many 3rds teams have done that in this first week. But we fought back, got a great goal and held on for the point: Alcuin 3rds’ first ever in the College Cup.
Two matches, two points, and two performances to be proud of. This year’s College Cup is already set up to be an interesting one.
Game of the week
The only clash of two 1sts teams saw James and Wentworth go head to head. These two colleges were the two term champions from this year, but in the end it wasn’t close as a James side, bolstered by university reinforcements, cantered to a 5-1 victory in Group Two. They led by only one at half time, and Wentworth levelled after the break. Yet an onslaught, led by Tom Clarke, sealed what turned out a comprehensive victory.
Performance of the week
Call me a homer, but I can’t go beyond Alcuin 3rds’ point against Derwent 2nds. While we had confidence that we could snatch something going in to the game.
Few in the college football world would have expected us to get anything from the College Cup as a whole, never mind the first game, and against a 2nds team at that. In a week when higher ranked teams have consistently overpowered ‘inferior’ opponents, this result stands out.
The only 3rds team to pick up a point in the opening matches. Special mentions to Derwent 1sts, who looked ruthless against Halifax 3rds, and James 2nds after their nine-goal drubbing of Langwith 3rds.
Player of the week
It’s impossible to look beyond Tom Clarke, who proved himself to be fantasy football gold dust with three goals against Wentworth. James are a team blessed with attacking talent, none more prominent than Clarke, who is certain to prove a force to be reckoned with in this year’s competition.
Team of the week
Jonny Sim;
Alex Tringham, Ollie Harrison, Ralph Gill, James Fraser;
Chris Osborne, Kyle Picknell;
James Davies, Tom Day, Andy Fernando;
Tom Clarke.
Coming up this week
Monday looks like a cracking day of action with three Group Four encounters matching teams against opponents who are level on paper. The week will spark into life from minute one, as Derwent 1sts and Vanbrugh 1sts face each other in probably the game of the group stages.
On Tuesday, more great games including the meeting of possibly the two strongest 3rds teams in the competition, James and Derwent. Thursday sees Derwent 2nds try to topple Wentworth 1sts, and Alcuin 3rds will aim for more points as they meet Vanbrugh 3rds.
On Friday a potentially decisive match in Group Three pits Halifax 2nds against Alcuin 1sts. After an opening week where results generally went as expected, week two should see a few spanners thrown into the works.