Late Cox strike sends Alcuin into semis
Photo: Arran Bowen-la Grange
Alcuin Firsts 2 – 1 Halifax Firsts
Alcuin march onto the semi-finals of the College Cup after a late strike by Dan Cox consigned Halifax to defeat.
Widely tipped as the match of the round, the teams didn’t disappoint. After a tight first half, star midfielder Ed Murrills headed Alcuin into the lead from close range in the second half. Halifax substitute Hugh Pryce levelled soon after with a bumbled goal before Dan Cox broke Halifax hearts with less than 5 minutes to go.
Despite the wafting smell of sewage from nearby works, this spectacle was far from foul. As one would expect, the early exchanges were tense and clear cut chances in the first half were as common as a Nick Griffin mosque visit. Playing a 3-5-2 formation Alcuin, who started as the favourites, found it hard to settle into their trademark passing rhythm. Halifax playing 4-4-2 had the better of the early play; Eamonn Geoghann went close with an optimistic drive before Dom Petschak stung one low to Mike Wynd’s left, but the sprawling Alcuin keeper saved well.
Settling into the game better, Alcuin’s Murrills had the chance of the half. Dan Hyde floated a ball to Murrills who was through on goal, only for a flying block by top fantasy points scorer Shaun Evans to deny a certain goal with the keeper seemingly beaten. It was a case of fantasy first place vs fantasy second; Murrills only needing a goal to overtake Evans as the leading fantasy point scorer. The first half was a showcase of quality defensive play with Shaun Evans and Jack Crane standing out, the score at the break 0-0.
From the whistle the second half was much brighter but a goal was still lacking, after knocking on the door a couple of times Alcuin finally broke the deadlock through none other than Ed Murrills. Miles McDermott was found in acres of space on the right hand side and, with Halifax appealing for the offside, McDermott continued his run to the by-line and crossed for ‘Mush’ to head home at the front post. With that goal Murrills joins top cup goal scorers Dom O’Shea and Connor Brennan (3 for Halifax Seconds) on 6 goals and, with Goodricke and Halifax respectively out of the competition, he is now favourite for the cup golden boot; although other rivals Dreamz Murphy, Chris Barnett and Mark Gouland might have something to say on that front.
After the goal, the game opened up. With Halifax chasing an equaliser, chances were there for any takers. Pressing on, Halifax managed to get that equaliser through substitute Hugh Pryce. A marauding run and cross by Ben Rea found Pryce in the centre tightly marked but somehow still managing to get something on the ball, which trickled over the line. Chances were coming thick and fast: Laurie Swann glanced a header over from a corner, followed by a dipping shot by Rea just gliding over. Alcuin could have, probably should have taken the lead when Michael Mancienne lookalike Parris Williams brilliantly turned his defender, tipped the ball over the keeper and looked likely to score but for some amazing last-ditch defending from Petschak and Evans, who saw that the ball rolled agonizingly wide.
Halifax were on the ropes and struggling to hold back the Alcuin attacks. Penetrative passing coupled with Jack Crane long throws kept the up-to-now comfortable Halifax defence penned in. With approximately 5 minutes left on the clock, Murrills pulled back a cross to just outside the area which Dan Cox ran onto and slotted past rooted Halifax keeper Andy Young. The goal was Cox’s last involvement in the match as the Alcuin front man immediately called for a sub after mild (“was the result ever in doubt?”) celebrations.
With minutes remaining, Halifax would have to find another equaliser if they were to force penalties. Pushing even further up the pitch Halifax left gaps in defence and substitute Joe Cooper nearly capitalised. Beating the offside trap, Cooper’s shot rattled the crossbar and the second ball was cleared. Seconds later the final whistle blew and the spirited Halifax side were consigned to defeat. The game could have gone either way, but Alcuin preserved their 100% record and now face Derwent in the semi-final – a mouth-watering prospect. Jack Crane scooped Man-of-the-Match for his solid defensive performance and threateningly accurate throws.
Lineups:
Alcuin: Mike Wynd(6 out of 10); Jack Crane(9), Laurie Swann(7), Paul Reiss(6.5); Christy Cormac(6.5), Ali Laird(6), Ed Murrills(8.5), Dan Hyde(7), Miles McDermott(7.5); Dan Cox(7), Parris Williams(7); Substitutes: Joe Cooper(6).
Halifax: Andy Young(6); Dom Petschak (6.5), John Halstead(6), Shaun Evans (7.5), Mark Lund (7); Eamonn Geoghann(6), Oli Fahey(6.5), Alex Richards(7.5), Ben Rea(7.5); Connor Brennan(6.5), Tom Ragan(6.5)
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I love Dan Cox.
He’s going to tear Derwent apart.
Dan Cox is an excellent striker at this level of football; he will always get you goals. Christy Cormac has been doing well for them as well.
Im very confident that Alcuin will beat Derwent, the evidence is compelling – Alcuin won 8-1 in the March fixture, they have already seen off two good first teams in the competition whilst Derwent lost their only game against decent opposition. Just gutted I wont be there to see it…..