FOR A SIDE languishing at the foot of the table, one would expect to see a conservative approach from Vanbrugh. But last year’s dull, long ball tactics looked a distant memory as they engaged James College in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
In a hotly-contested first period it was the men in Green who began the brightest. Jonny Grout and Phil Taylor controlled the game from the midfield, spreading the ball quickly wide to Clarke and Stanier whose pin-point crosses continuously threatened a shaky James defence.
James were finally made to pay as some sublime football from the Greens split open the James defence for Parkinson to tap in. A second soon followed as Vanbrugh again played the ball superbly into the box and after an error from the James keeper Parkinson added to his goal tally with another simple finish.
Despite Vanbrugh’s domination James were able to level the score with two quick-fire goals from University striker James Offord which sent the two teams into half-time on even footing.
The second period was as entertaining as the first. Both teams went in search of a much-needed win as Vanbrugh continued to play their slick passing football and James ventured forward in numbers led by the ever-present Johnson. A Vanbrugh defence that conceded five against Halifax last weekend grew in confidence, and some superb last ditch tackles from Dan Radford continued to sabotage a series of James attacks.
Though James will be frustrated with only a point, it is the Vanbrugh camp that should feel the most hard done by, though the team should be encouraged by such positive football against a team dominated by university talent.