College Football: Wentworth 2-1 Alcuin

By Stephen Holcroft

A gritty performance from Wentworth saw them clinch an impressive 2-1 win over Alcuin, courtesy of a Mike Symons strike 15 minutes from time.

Wentworth’s impact on the match was instant, and they found themselves ahead in the space of the opening minutes, after Luke Fleet was gifted a tap-in into the low corner following debatable defending by Alcuin.

Indeed, it was not Wentworth’s need to defend a 1-0 lead for the remainder of the half. But they were nearly in danger when Sim Reiss’ inviting freekick evaded all of Wentworth’s defence, and fortunately managed to avoid Alcuin’s attack as well. Then, captain Phil Bowers with his back-to-goal, placed over having beaten the Wentworth defence. And when pacey Will Taylor raced past Martin Mulligan to fire across goal, the signs were ominous. Again though, no Alcuin striker was available to pounce.

Later in the first half, Dom Green illustrated his creativity as he jinked through the Alcuin defence, only to find his hard work undone by a last ditch Alcuin challenge, as he readied himself for the shot. Moments later however Alcuin drew level, as Sim Reiss scored a rare 25 yard-goal, helped by his strike bobbling in front of the diving Dan Horsfold into his low left corner. No sooner did Alcuin seem behind that they were almost in front, as on the brink of half-time, Will Dodgson saw his corner headed off the bar, with Horsfold helpless.

It was Wentworth who continued their first half form into the second, as they looked to regain the lead. Certainly Alcuin had David Ambrozejczyk to thank after an acrobatic reflex save superbly denied what appeared a destined Halifax goal. Up the other end, and Wentworth soon had the woodwork to thank as Bowers cut in from the left, only to find Horsfold beaten but the post not, as his box shot rebounded back across goal.

It wasn’t going to be Alcuin’s day, and as the cold made way for damper conditions, Green had the Alcuin defence turned, but shot at an onrushing Ambrozejczyk. Yet the goalkeeper could only parry back out to Symons on the edge of the box, who finished confidently, and Wentworth had the win at 2-1.

Alcuin’s troubles were compounded further after the final whistle when goalkeeper Ambrozejczyk, on the wrong side of two goals, left the field on his own, after an alleged bust-up with fellow team mates.