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Photos: Kathy Burke
Vanbrugh were deserved winners in an entertaining contest in which Wentworth gave a good account of themselves, despite the eventual scoreline.
The postgrads began well, looking particularly threatening on the break with dangerman Andrea Marcheggiano volleying just over from a pin-point cross.
Impressive centre-midfielder Wayne Paes was also causing problems for the Vanbrugh backline as his powerful run was only just stopped by a last-ditch challenge from Max Brewer, and the midfielder’s shot was easily gathered by goalkeeper James Wilson.
Yet Vanbrugh were also looking to attack and the effervescent John Sanderson was the first to make opposition ‘keeper Colin Hill work, with a snap shot that was well saved.
Vanbrugh midfielder Kieran O’Dwyer also threatened with a shot that just flew over the bar, and a goal did not seem far away.
So it proved as a deflected through ball from Sanderson found its way to striker Elliot Rous Ross who fired home expertly to break the deadlock and give Vanbrugh the lead.
This goal gave Vanbrugh a tangible boost and they began to really impose themselves on the match, with striker Tom Parish finding a lot of space just off Rous Ross, and Sanderson giving Wentworth much to think about.
Ben Stanier’s corner caused confusion in the box and Parish was unlucky to see the ball cleared from just under his feet by ex-Vanbrugh defender Ben Keane before he could apply the necessary finish.
However, Wentworth were still giving Vanbrugh problems on the break and Paes was again instrumental as he held off Brewer to get a shot off, but it just drifted wide.
After a Stanier free-kick which was well saved by Hill, Paes was again in the thick of the action, embarking on another probing run and making Wilson work with a powerful effort which rebounded to Dom Green, whose acrobatic finish was no problem for the Vanbrugh shot-stopper.
Shots from Rous Ross, Sanderson and O’Dwyer piled on the pressure for Wentworth, but they will be disappointed by the manner of the second goal.
Wilson punted the ball downfield and as the ball bounced there was confusion between the Wentworth backline and ‘keeper Hill, and Rous Ross was able to loop a header over both to bag his brace and double his side’s lead.
Vanbrugh were equally dominant after the interval and it was not long until the score was extended to 3-0. A perfectly weighted pass was played through by O’Dwyer to Parish who slid the ball beyond Hill to increase the advantage and effectively signal game over.
After the third Vanbrugh stepped off the pedal a little and despite Matt Lukins almost diverting an O’Dwyer shot into his own net, the game became a little scrappy as the team in blue and red seemed content with their lead.
Wentworth still refused to give in, however, and a free-kick was swung in towards Green, whose header was well saved by Wilson.
It was just reward for their industry and tirelessness when the postgrads grabbed a goal back with about ten minutes to go. Marcheggiano threaded a teasing ball through to Paes who gathered it in his stride and struck low past Wilson.
Hopes of a comeback were short-lived as Vanbrugh successfully closed out the game, restricting their opponents to long shots, and celebrated the victory which their excellent performance deserved.
Wentworth skipper Paes was pleased with his side stating that ‘we played well today, and if we had controlled the midfield a bit more we would have got a better result.’ He was magnanimous in defeat, adding that ‘Vanbrugh played very well and deserved to win.’
His Vanbrugh counterpart, James Wilson, was understandably buoyant after the game, commenting that his side ‘played very well and it was nice to get some revenge on Wentworth after the last game we played against them.’
VISION MOTM: John Sanderson.