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Photos: Tom Wooldridge
The 2012 Plate Final saw arguably the greatest surprise package in College Cup history surge to victory, as Wentworth 2nds, billed as no-hopers before the tournament, produced one of the performances of the year to defeat Vanbrugh 3rds 3-1.
Both teams had done marvellously to reach this stage, and great credit must be handed to them for that. However whereas Wentworth produced their best performance of the campaign, Vanbrugh, who had conceded only four goals prior to this contest, were not quite at their best in this thrilling encounter, which was a joy to behold for the spectators lining the JLD.
The game started in frantic fashion, as Vanbrugh almost opened the scoring with only three minutes on the clock. The ball broke to Tom Fisher on the edge of the box, and his powerful volley thundered goalwards, but straight at the legs of John Cook who saved confidently.
Wentworth then went straight up the other end and scored the crucial first goal. Vanbrugh failed to deal with a long ball, which broke free for Lachlan Murray. Murray’s initial shot was well blocked by Vanbrugh ‘keeper Kallum Taylor, but the rebound broke to Matt Beacham who calmly slotted home to give the postgraduate college an early lead.
Wentwoth almost doubled their lead soon after in an entertaining start to the game. A Rich Rhodes long throw fell to Samir Abdoulaye, however he was superbly denied by a sprawling Taylor save. Vanbrugh were dangerous too though, and after a perfect pass by Max Poynter Hall, his fellow midfielder Seb Knight was unable to direct his attempt goalbound. Adam Lewis then used his pace to good effect, as he cut inside but could only direct his shot into the side netting, as Vanbrugh started to dominate.
Midway through the first half Rhodes hit a powerful drive from distance narrowly over Taylor’s posts, whilst Murray continued to threaten with his pace. Alex Habeck though was a shining light at the back for Vanbrugh, competent in the air and on the deck, breaking up play effectively. Going forward Poynter Hall looked dangerous, and a penetrating run was followed by a mishit shot which trundled wide of the Wentworth goal.
Wentworth were not only defending exceptionally, shpwing great experience and desire, but also posed a serious attacking threat through Murray. Approaching half time, Abdoulaye expertly flicked the ball into his path, and there was no stopping Murray, as he calmly lobbed Taylor to double Wentworth’s advantage. Wentworth comfortably maintained their advantage until half-time, laving Vanbrugh with a mountain to climb.
Vanbrugh almost instantaneously found a way back into the game in the second half. After a scramble in the Wentworth area the ball broke to Lewis, who struck a snapshot goalbound from about eight yards. The ball seemed destined to hit the back of the net, only for the catlike Cook to display amazing reflexes to tip the ball over the bar. It was undoubtedly the save of the tournament, and one which Premier League ‘keepers would have been proud of.
Murray’s brilliance for Wentworth continued at the other end, as he powered past one, only to be denied by Taylor. Taylor was beaten though moments later, as Murray took the ball around him, and pulled it back excellently for Mutlu Cukurova, who calmly slotted home a Wentworth third. At this point the game seemed all over, but Vanbrugh still proved resilient.
Vanbrugh continued to push for a goal which would get them back into the game, but this left holes in their defence to be exploited. The pace of Murray, and intelligence of Abdoulaye, Greg Kearney and Beacham did exactly that. Twice there were claims for a Wentworth penalty, but both were waved away by referee Luke Gardener. Taylor was then once more called upon to make a fantastic save from Abdoulaye after a flowing move. Vanbrugh then broke straight up the other end, and Lewis forced a good save from the unflappable Cook.
It truly was a fantastically entertaining game, one of the finest of the tournament, and a fitting way to end a superb year of football. The end to end nature of the game continued, as Vanbrugh’s Charlie Frobisher fired an effort over, before Beacham almost claimed his second, as the ball was drilled agonisingly wide of the far post with Taylor beaten.
By no means were Vanbrugh poor in the game. Defensively they were a little sloppy at times, but the main difference was the clinical nature of Wentworth in the two boxes. Beacham again fired wide, before he was found by substitute Wataru Yamaguchi only to clip his lob inches over the bar. As players tired there was more space to exploit, and Rhodes scuffed a shot wide after good play.
Vanbrugh’s tournament finished on a positive note however, as they scored a late consolation from Adam Lewis, who placed the ball into the bottom corner despite the best efforts of Cook. It was not enough though and Wentworth recorded a deserved 3-1 victory in a stunning match to be crowned Plate Champions.
An ecstatic Wentworth manager, Dan Howdon told Vision: “I’m delighted. It was our best performance to date, Vanbrugh didn’t play badly, but our clinical touch told. I’m really pleased for the likes of Mark Eslick, Matt Beacham and Rich Rhodes who’ve played for years and today was their last game. After all the defeats and troubles we’ve suffered, it’s great for them to be able to finish their Wentworth career on a high.”
Vanbrugh Captain Mark Lajca was disappointed but proud of his team, commenting: “The game didn’t go our way today, but we’ve done brilliantly in the tournament. I’m really proud of everyone, and congratulations to Wentworth.”
As Dan Howdon said of his team after the Quarter final victory over Goodricke 2nds: “To get seven points in the groups and to beat one of the best 2nds sides in the tournament when we are fat and postgraduates is a fantastic achievement.” Well for a team which are “fat and old” they did remarkably well today, using all their experience and producing one of the best performances of the year to cap off a truly remarkable campaign for Wentworth 2nds.
Vision MOTM: Lachlan Murray
Great article!
I’d post this on the Nouse site as well but their story isn’t up yet:-)
The college cup is absolutely fantastic and Joe B has done a great job organising it. But what I think makes it really special is the coverage it gets from both Vision and Nouse. It might not seem that way when people are pointing out that it was player x not player y who set up a chance, but I genuinely think all involved appreciate the effort that goes into the coverage. The photography is fantastic and every player, be they young and good looking or old and fat, however much they may suggest otherwise, really loves reading their name and seeing their face. Plus, with coverage like this there’s still a chance that a scout will stumble upon us and correct whatever mistake had been made in the past, preventing us from making it as professional footballers.
Cheers guys!
Just want to say thanks to all the journos who’ve covered the tournament for Vision (even if none of them ever spell my name correctly). I’m pleased 2nds ended their media blackout in the end. This is a really nice write-up and much appreciated. Cheers!