By Stephen Holcroft
A THRILLING COMEBACK from Derwent denied Alcuin a vital victory in the quest for college football glory. With both highly tipped at the start of the season, both sides were left firmly in the hunt for this term’s accolade.
Inside the first minute, Alcuin took the lead – Joe Cooper scoring from close range having been fed through by Parris Williams. The lead was doubled half an hour later, a clinical attack in which captain Miles McDermott headed the ball down into Williams path, who on the edge of the penalty box, wriggled away from his marker and slid the ball beyond the Derwent keeper.
Derwent refused to let their spirits drop, and immediately found themselves a lifeline. Anton Murphy, earlier booked for unprofessional behaviour, played in Chris Barnett who advanced beyond both of Alcuin’s centre backs before firing home past Michael Wynd. But MOTM McDermott soon restored the two goal lead minutes later when a long throw wasn’t cleared from danger and he was on hand to make it 3-1.
Derwent managed to peg another back with 20 minutes left – Murphy played a ball back across the box, and connecting on the volley was James Pinkstone. Suddenly Alcuin looked vulnerable, the defining moment of the match was to happen moments later as Barnett unleashed an effort onto the bar from over 20 yards, only for Murphy to pounce and beat a stranded Wynd.
There was time for even more drama when substitute Matt O’ Connor looked to have won the game, but the referee judged a foul in the build up to the goal. As it was, the scores remained 3-3, as Alcuin were made to rue letting slip a comfortable 3-1 lead.