College Cup: Wentworth 1sts 1-1 James 3rds

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Photos: Oliver Todd

A highly entertaining affair saw these two teams play out an exciting draw, where either team could have snatched the 3 points on offer.

James went into the game knowing that a victory would see them qualify for the College Plate; Wentworth needed to avoid defeat to achieve the same feat, being aready too far adrift of Halifax 3rds to qualify for the College Cup.

The game started just as Wentworth would have wanted it to. Within the first five minutes, striker Dom Green broke through several weak James tackles and slipped the ball through to Murray on the right, whose shot was well saved by the feet of James ‘keeper Charnock. However, the rebound fell straight to Bawdon, who fired the ball past the recovering James defence and into the net.

However, the lead lasted barely more than a few minutes. With their first real meaningful attack of the game, James equalised through the right boot of Reby. After good work by Cooke on the right, Taylor’s deflected shot found its way to the Frenchman on the left side of the box, who finished unerringly with a fiercely struck right footed half-volley.

Both sides continued to look susceptible to conceding, with a number of half chances for both teams. Wentworth goalkeeper Hill did well to turn over a Yates corner that looked destined to find the top corner of the net; while both Murray and Green caused the James defence problems with their pace and strength.

Murray came close to restoring Wentworth’s lead after a defensive mixup between Tims and Chapman put him through one-on-one against Charnock, but the winger’s volley was sliced badly wide when he really should have hit the target at the very least.

From the very next play, James countered effectively, with Cooke down the wide right channel again stretching the Wentworth back four with his pace. He crossed perfectly for Taylor who finished cleverly but was adjudged by the referee to have been offside.

The final period of the first half saw both teams again waste chances. Green saw his header clip the top of the bar from a Townson long throw, while McCusker met a corner convincingly at the back post for James but was unable to get his effort on target.

The second half saw the trend of the first continued; both teams causing problems but failing to convert their chances. Wentworth captain Paes saw his long range free kick land safely in Charnock’s arms without really testing the James goalkeeper, before Tims saw his looping intended cross narrowly float over far post, with Hill desperately scrambling to try and avoid any potential embarrassment.

Neither side managed to put together any real period of pressure and set pieces continued to be the most likely source of a goal. Another Yates free kick nearly found the head of Norman, but was cut out convincingly by the punch of Hill.

At the other end, a Wentworth corner was diverted onto the bar by an uncertain looking Charnock; perhaps memories of his crucial error against Halifax 3rds playing across his mind.

Shortly afterwards, a long punt upfield by McCusker had the Wentworth defence scrambling, Taylor did well to bring the ball down and was brought down by Townson, giving Yates yet another chance to set his sights on goal from a set piece, as he had done to such great effect against Langwith 2nds in James’ last outing. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Yates’ effort rebounded disappointingly against the Wentworth wall.

Al Hasan had arguably James’ best chance of the half, latching onto another long ball from McCusker and lobbing the keeper, only to see his effort cleared off the line by the backtracking Cukorova. This was followed closely by Cooke toe-poking wide from an Al Hasan through ball when it seemed easier to score.

Two good chances were also squandered by Wentworth as the game drew towards its conclusion. First, Paes shot straight at Charnock from inside the James penalty; shortly after Bawdon volleyed over following good work down the wing by Wentworth.

Even the introduction of James College footballing legend McSherry could not do much to shape the game; his input was largely confined to a few short passes whilst doing his best not to look too out of breath.

James will come away from the fixture feeling most disheartened as they could not achieve what they set out to do. Wentworth, on the other hand, will be somewhat relieved to qualify for the Plate after what has ultimately been a disappointing campaign.

Either team could have snatched a win here, but a combination of poor finishing and last ditch defending meant that a draw was ultimately a fair result.

Vision MOTM: Dom Green