Delight for Derwent as they clinch winter league title

December 7, 2011 | ONLINE ONLY
Jack Bradshaw

DERWENT 2-1 JAMES

Images: Philippa Grafton

Derwent were crowned winter league champions after recording a 2-1 victory over James despite being put under enormous pressure for much of the second half.

A first-half brace from David Kirk proved enough for the league leaders to overcome second placed James in the title decider.

The impressive striker poked home inside the first two minutes to give Derwent the perfect start, coming off the back of their only defeat of the year against Vanbrugh last weekend.

Both sides created chances in an even first-half and James were nearly back on level terms when a great run and cross from Freddie Ferrao almost lead to James Offord turning home.

That was before Ferrao and Offord were both denied after a dangerous Angus O’Brien cross during a great spell of James pressure.

Instead, Kirk doubled Derwent’s lead, his fourth goal of the season, with an expertly taken finish after terrific pressure from Tom Brandreth forced a defensive mix-up.

But moments later, James Davies had a great chance to grab a goal back;but the midfielder couldn’t keep his header down.

And just after the break O’Brien had another golden opportunity to drag James back into the game, but was denied by Seb Treasure.

Just before the hour mark came the move of the match when great build up from Derwent culminated in an exquisite flick and volley from Mike Whitall, who was only denied a debut goal by Toby Owen’s fingertips.

And Derwent had two more chances to put the result beyond any doubt but Jacob Tapper saw his shot blocked and Xander Brinkworth was inches away from turning in Kirk’s well-placed cross.

They were punished soon after when Davies finished well in the area to give James a sniff with just under twenty minutes remaining.

James poured men forward in a desperate attempt for an equaliser and it nearly came when Ferrao broke through, only to have his shot brilliantly palmed away by Treasure.

Nick St George then fired a header just over the bar, before a scramble from a corner nearly lead to Tapper inadvertently turning into his own net as James began to take control of the game.

As they committed more and more men forward, James became stretched at the back and Jake Farrell nearly punished them as he broke from the half-way line, but couldn’t find the finish to match his run.

With only five minutes left to play, James looked to have found an equaliser, when Treasure dived over the ball allowing Davies straight through on goal.

But a stunning last-ditch tackle from Joe Boughtflower prevented a certain goal, allowing Derwent to regroup and see out the rest of the game for the victory which sees them top the winter league table for the second successive year.

Derwent captain Boughtflower was understandably delighted with his team at the final whistle: “It has been a very good term for us and everyone has been brilliant and worked so hard. It was a game for champions and we really stoodup.”

James skipper Rich Baxter didn’t dwell on this season and looked forward to a good campaign in the spring, saying, “Obviously we are disappointed but I felt over the course of the game we deserved to get at least a point. But I would just like to stress the effort and commitment of all the players throughout the entire season. Hopefully we can come back after Christmas and win it next time.”

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