By George Liley
A sunny morning on 22 acres saw a persistent Alcuin triumph 3-1 over a Langwith side still searching for their first win this year. Alcuin’s clinical finishing proved to be the deciding factor in a score-line that didn’t reflect the game’s play.
With both sides looking for redemption after poor results last week, the opening minutes were a tentative affair. Langwith initially struggled to find forwards Bruce Starkey and Jimmy Anderton and were instead limited to long strikes that failed to test the Alcuin keeper. Missed chances proved to be costly however, as a slip up from Langwith defender Luke Gardiner gifted Alcuin’s Will Taylor a chance, which he duly converted with a curling right footed strike to put Alcuin ahead.
The second half saw a test of determination as both sides fought for the advantage. Alcuin’s Taylor struck the post and Langwith’s Matt Wilcox was unlucky with a long range hit. Langwith’s persistence however eventually paid off as Alcuin’s Alex Wright conceded a penalty after pulling down Langwith forward Starkey and defender Liam Condron stepped up to calmly level the match.
Alcuin appeared undeterred, and the team rallied to gain control. Paul Desolsa’s long range effort was fumbled by Langwith keeper Tom Lambert and Alex Brown reacted quickly to pounce and guide the ball home to put Alcuin ahead 2-1. Soon afterwards Alex Wright made amends for conceding the penalty and turned from villain to hero, as he headed home from a Will Taylor corner to put Alcuin 3-1 ahead and put the game to bed. Langwith were unlucky with chances before the final whistle, however Alcuin comfortably held on to win a game that, could have gone either way.
Langwith captain Callum Sheridan was left blaming “silly errors” for his side’s display. The result, however, could easily have been different, and Langwith will rue the missed chances that could have changed the outcome of the match.