Alcuin too strong for Vanbrugh in memorable College Cup final
Photos: George Lowther
Alcuin claimed the College Cup on Monday evening, beating Vanbrugh 3-1 in an end-to-end final. An own goal by Vanbrugh captain Tom Sheldrick gifted Alcuin the perfect start, before additional goals from Christie Cormac and Parris Williams, either side of a Mark Gouland response, secured a well-deserved victory.
Having also benefited from the largesse of their opponents in the semi-final against Derwent – goalkeeper Ed Amoroso gifting forward Dan Cox the opener on that occasion – Alcuin received another present when Sheldrick powered a header past Paul Taylor after Miles McDermott’s long-ball had caused confusion. Despite this, the match hung in the balance until yet another moment of inspiration from striker Williams, half-way through the second period. Latching on to Ollie Webb’s accurate forward pass and defying the offside trap, Williams controlled the ball with his head before lofting it beyond Taylor for 3-1. The goal followed a header in the semi-final, and capped a fine tournament for the frontman.
Alcuin had made a blistering start to the game, despite the absence of influential playmaker Ed Murrills – another goalscorer in the last four match – and had doubled their lead on 19 minutes when Cormac headed home from close range from Cox’s well-executed byline cross. Cox shouldn’t have found the half-yard to deliver the ball, but managed to turn Chris Schultz. However, their two-goal lead was short-lived, as Vanbrugh responded within two minutes. Mark Gouland, the prolific university first team striker, had an easy header following Matt Oliver’s accurate right-wing cross.
Gouland enjoyed a lively game, as we have come to expect, but was largely frustrated by a well-drilled Alcuin rearguard. At 3-1 down and time ticking away, Vanbrugh should have been awarded a penalty when Gouland was crudely pulled down, but referee and university firsts’ strike partner Dom O’Shea waved away the appeals.
Vanbrugh, who have grown stronger as the tournament has progressed, cast aside their defensive mindset to launch an aerial bombardment through the long throws of Dan Hewitt. However, Alcuin had correctly predicted this tactic and played a similar long-ball game, taking full advantage of McDermott’s ability to pick out the head of Cox and other targets. The consequence was a lively, and sometimes physical, encounter although the easy option of lofting the ball forward proved too tempting for both sides, rather than keeping the ball on the ground and building slowly.Alcuin had been forced to make some alterations to a largely consistent starting XI, with Webb drafted in. Vanbrugh were also forced into replacements in defence.
After a couple of half-chance headers in the opening salvos, McDermott was denied by Taylor’s fingertips in the first genuine opening. In the hectic start, Gouland also headed goalwards from the first of Hewitt’s throws. With the slightly below-expectation crowd lapping up the entertainment in the sporadic evening sunshine, Sheldrick’s unfortunate own goal looked as though it would prove psychologically damaging, especially when Dan Hyde wasted a great opportunity to double the lead. Following the exchange of goals mid-way through the half, Gouland again exploited Vanbrugh’s aerial potency, but his flicked header flew wide.
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Best college cup in years. Fact.
Anyone know who won the plate?
Halifax 2nds won the plate 3-1 over Goodricke 2nds.