College Cup
The Secret Footballer
Penalties are a grim, unforgiving lottery. I’ve been involved in a few during my illustrious career traversing the Hertfordshire Junior leagues but none come close to one in the College Cup.
Usually I cope alright with a spot kick but the cliches all come true on the long journey from the half way line to the spot. The goal shrinks, your palms sweat and the simple task, the odds of which are weighed heavily in your favour, suddenly becomes an impossibility.
Routine is essential. Break a well worn ceremony and the goal keeper is already one step ahead. Traditionally there are a number of small things that I always do when taking a penalty, to settle the nerves and to produce the desired result. In the College Cup I did none of them. I was rushing myself, wanting the ball to be in the back of the net rather than near my feet. It’s an obvious statement but you have to dictate the pace of the penalty, taking care over everything from placing the ball to the time you take at the start of a run up.
Momentum is huge as well, a pendulum that weighs heavy on the team that are missing. Put a run together and suddenly this whole shoot out lark seems made for your side; see your team mates miss and in your mind your are inexorably headed for defeat. When both teams are in the same boat then shoot outs run and run in a vicious cycle of tension. In most cases the longer it goes on the less willing the taker is to have a go, therefore the more likely they are to miss – and so the suffocating scenario continues.
Hitting the ball hard is essential. Regardless of how good the keeper is a shot hit hard, even if close to him, is going to be near impossible to save from 12 yards. I envy keepers when it comes down to it. They can only be heroes. They aren’t expected to save every spot kick; just to do their best. If they do save them they rightfully take the adulation. In the most tense moment of the College Cup so far one man between the sticks won his side the tie; but both keepers made themselves heroes.
The Secret Footballer
Survival Sunday may shred the nerves and shorten the finger nails but the College Cup can also lay claim to wrench on the emotions of anyone interested in it. When it gets down to the business end of things and the margin for error tightens considerably the JLD becomes an anxious place
We are getting toward that stage slowly (very slowly) but surely. Qualification for the knock out stages will be decided in the next couple of weeks and then the fear and anxiety will set in. Even if you sail through the group stages and get a favourable draw afterward it means nothing. When it boils down to an hour on the tiny confines on the astro any lapse in performance will be punished. Maybe that’s why the competition captures the imagination so much. If a Colleges big names don’t play well when it really matters then they can easily struggle.
We’re still not much closer to knowing who will pick up the cup. Second and even some third teams look dangerous and are capable of beating even strong first elevens on their day, especially given the prominent role of set pieces. Long throws can be key on such a small pitch. There are a couple of teams who have that weapon in their armoury; guys that throw the ball long and flat. It’s the kind of delivery that even Premier League defences dread.
As we reach the latter stages I think that the games will be settled by increasingly small scorelines. Even the so called stronger teams, who by and large haven’t been unduly tested in their groups, are only going to nick games by the odd goal and will probably be pleased to do so. In an hour of football the opportunity to recover from a goal down is tough; especially when there is a tendency to freeze up and to try and not mistakes rather than attack with abandon. Add in the growing atmosphere and number of spectators on the sidelines and I think it’s fair to say we could be in for a tense and unpredictable denouement.
There is an element of claustrophobia that comes with playing in such conditions. Wingers basically get their toes stood on by hoardes of encroaching onlookers and the spectacle of college football feels cramped and uncomfortable, a big deal squashed into sports centre booking regulations and the unsightly fences of the astro. Penalties are on the way as well. The chance to be a hero or to lose face in front of so many.
There is a welter of mental hurdles to contend with in winning the College Cup. The teams who deal with them the best will come out on top, even if they might be perceived to be less talented.
The trophy is anyone’s to win after first week of fixtures fails to provide any conclusive answers
Vanbrugh delight - joy of the cup. Photo: Philippa Grafton
One week in and we are not yet able to alleviate the distinctly edgy atmosphere on the JLD. Each team is still feeling the pang of insecurity, and it is all the more acute for the contenders.
James went some way to ridding the spectre of last year, when their chances looked so promising, by turning in a clinical performance against Vanbrugh to win 3-1 on the opening day. For them their unknown quantity could well be key.
They were without Tom Clarke, the ex-Yeovil player, who will augment a strike force that contains James Offord whose brace sunk their main group rivals. Phil Taylor cited tactical ineptness as a factor in his side’s defeat.
Results such as this one cause problems for the casual pundit. James excellence cannot be ignored, just as Vanbrugh’s flatness on the day cannot be excused. Regardless, each respective performance does not sentence the two sides to inevitable success or failure.
This equation will cause a similar dilemma for Tom Ragan’s Halifax. Blessed with an embarrassment of riches on the pitch his side will be expected to go all the way. Their 5-0 win over Wentworth thirds featured beautiful football but they will admit that it doesn’t confirm them as the team to beat.
Difficulties continue for Alcuin and Langwith as the gap narrows between the standard of first and seconds string sides. A late Dan Radford finish earned Vanbrugh seconds a draw in an ill-tempered affair. Bruce Starkey is still a dangerous weapon for Langwith but will need support from his team mates to overcome a difficult challenge from the seconds sides who will want to beat them and progress into the knock-outs.
Derwent and Goodricke will hope to add some flair to their battling opening showings and continue the dominance that they shared in the first two terms. The cutting edge of David Kirk made the difference in a 1-0 win against Wentworth, whilst Goodricke nicked a win without main man Jon Sharpe only to be deducted two points for fielding an ineligible player.
Elsewhere a superb showing from Derwent thirds saw them win 3-0 against James seconds thanks to John Gow and Jon Garness, who also fired the seconds to win against their Alcuin counterparts. Despite these promising signs it looks as though Halifax will take some beating away from the firsts sides, as their third side drew 1-1 with Goodricke seconds and the seconds cruised to a 2-0 win over the Hes East natives thirds side.
The Nouse Sport College Cup podcast
The Nouse Sport College Cup Podcast – Episode 1
After the first week of the College Cup the Nouse Sport team give their take on a good start for James, impressive performances all round for Halifax and examine the Fantasy Football standings.
Join the debate on the College Cup on Twitter via
We’ve also got photos and match reports from every game, updated daily.
The Secret Footballer
I would hesitate to compare the College Cup to the World Cup, but I think there are some points of overlap. Seeing the England squad arrive in South Africa and go on multiple, mind numbing excursions around such a beautiful country filled me with jealousy at the time but now only evokes pity.
The feelings of those players, who carried a burden of expectation roughly 10 million per cent more intense than the flimsy concerns currently aboard my spindly shoulders, must have been horrendous. I remember Joe Cole being interviewed after a safari and the over riding sentiment he expressed to the hapless reporter was: “Well it was OK, but me and the lads really wanted to see a tear up between the lions”. Stupid, laddish banalities should be forgiven when you are in the pressure cooker of a pre-tournament environment.
Of course when the games actually get going then the College equivalent of FIFA’s gravy train throws up some more unexpected problems. Injuries can be sustained in training (especially when Big Emile is steaming in like he’s ingested a sizeable quantity of horse tranquillizer) but John Terry never had to miss a match because of a philosophy exam, although the pained look on his face whilst playing suggests he is constantly embroiled in a deep-seated existential dilemma.
When you take the trivialities and the hype away it is simply good to get it under way, as long as the first result is a favourable one. With that sorted out then you realise that you are simply playing football again, even though there are more people there to give “chat” and “banter” on the sidelines than in the freezing winter term. Stripped of the special place that it holds in University sporting life the College Cup is just a another battle for bragging rights where even the UYAFC first team get involved. The astroturf and the more limited time constraints offer some mitigating circumstances that all good captains will try and get their head around but regardless, the best team will still win.
There is still so much to be decided in this competition and no one really knows where they stand just yet. There have been some good early markers set down but previous years have shown that even the strongest performances in the groups can be considered empty portents when it comes to the knock outs. Either way I’m just happy that we’ve started, but even the beginning is a reminder that there is a long way still to go.
The Secret Footballer
This year Nouse have teamed up with a footballer, whose identity will be a closely guarded secret, to bring you a an exclusive insight into the world of the College Cup. Welcome to The Secret Footballer.
David Brent once said: “When people say to me: would you rather be thought of as a funny man or a great boss? My answer’s always the same, to me, they’re not mutually exclusive.” Maybe then it’s this blog will be an example of Brentian hubris. After all Norman Mailer could turn a good sentence but he never knocked out George Foreman.
Regardless I will be joining the ranks of sportsman turned commentators, even though both of those words are generous terms for what I do on either side of the journalistic fence. Some succeed. Michael Atherton is a superb writer, a man that should be considered as a someone who would have graced nationally printed pages regardless of his sporting prowess. John Barnes, on the other hand, looked as though he was being forced to read the Channel Five autocue at gun point when he used to present for them. The look on his face suggested that every time he spoke it would be to say: “I have realised now that my involvement with this imperialistic occupation is wrong. Death to the West!”
Whatever the success of this column it is the insight of footballer in a uniquely odd position. This time last year the thought that I would be looking forward to lining up at least on the bench (maybe that should read probably instead of at least) of a team that has a chance of winning the college cup would have been a mental idea.
I hadn’t played football since I was sixteen, when I had carved a niche for myself as one of the Top 250 left footed midfielders in the North Hearts area. I somehow got jaded, yes at the ripe old age of 16, and quit. Woman, wine and being a foot shorter than everyone else made enjoying my football difficult.
Now it’s all change. I can’t wait for the College Cup to start, even if the height differential is in some cases still prohibitive. It’s easy to be cynical about the allure of team sport – I was for a long period of time. Now I’m a fire an brimstone convert. You don’t have to be best mates with everyone you line up with to have at least some sense that you are part of something. College Football used to be an outlet to play the game that I loved. Now it’s tinged with more that healthy dash of partisanship.
I still wouldn’t start a bar fight over College loyalties or incite a fresher to “piss” on a geographically adjacent rival but I suppose I have a bit of spirit now. At least with regard to the team and the people that play in it. That if nothing else is what the College Cup offers. Attempts are often made to manufacture College spirit from JCRC’s and their members – as though you either commit wholly, virulently, ecstatically to the institution or don’t bother at all.
There are gaps in this feast or famine approach. I couldn’t care less whether our college club nights are empty or are so well thought of that the entire line up of G Unit turns up, including less well known but equally important members Lloyd Banks and Young Buck. When it comes to the football team, and winning and progressing in the College Cup – then I’m interested.
College Cup 2011: A team-by-team guide
Image: George Lowther
The reigning champions face an uphill struggle if they are going win the cup for an unprecedented third year in row, but write Alcuin off at your own peril. The switch to Astroturf could aid their fluid playing style and the backline is back to full strength, with Paul Reiss returning to the side after recovering from a broken leg in the Winter term.
For Alcuin to win it all they need to find a killer instinct in front of goal – Alex Brown should get the nod after leading the line for much of the year, while winger Will Taylor will act as Alcuin’s best creative outlet.
Halifax firsts await in the group stages, but progression to the Cup should be a formality.
Making the last eight of the Cup in 2009 and the final of the Plate in 2010, Alcuin seconds will be keen to make their mark once again in 2011. Their form has been inconsistent for most of the year, but they showed why they continue to be a threat at the back end of the Spring Term, beating a strong Halifax seconds in the final league match.
Crossover Will Dodgson will anchor the midfield, while Tom Hargreaves will need to carry his strong late season form into the cup to give them a shot of progressing.
Alcuin seconds are drawn in Group 2 alongside Goodricke firsts for the third year in a row.
Alcuin’s third string are making their debut in the College Cup in 2011 under the tutelage of captain Edward Hadley, who has overseen their rise as one of the most attacking third teams. Whether any of their frontmen can pose a threat to much against stronger defences however, remains to be seen. Any chances they do have will likely fall to the feet of Reda Bouchaib; the diminutive striker is in great form while Hadley will set the tempo from his role in the middle of the park.
A berth in the Plate is the target, but elimination is most likely.
Derwent have done a stellar job in refitting their side after losing so many players to graduation, and the Spring league winners will come into the cup as one of the favourites.
In a team sprinkled with quality, it could be two players from either end of the pitch that prove the difference. Dan Atherton is emerging as one of College Football’s best in front of goal and Goalkeeper Seb Treasure has been a revelation – wonder saves against Alcuin and Wentworth went a long way to securing the Spring Term title. Similarly Josh Baines, Fantasy Football’s highest valued defender at £9m, will prove something of an obstacle to all opposition teams.
Derwent should easily top Group 3 – then it’s just a case of holding their nerve as they push towards the final.
One of the stronger second strings in the competition, a second place finish is not beyond them in Group 2, dubbed the “group of death”.
Much in the same way as their first team, Derwent seconds have added a few new faces with no loss of potency from the Plate winning side. Both Will Da Silva and crossover David Kirk have been impressive in 2011, but they will need a solid defensive display and keeper Krish Yellappa to avoid any unforced mistakes to progress to the Cup.
Strong league form makes them an interesting proposition – a showdown with Langwith firsts looms large.
One of the third team sides that everyone was keen to avoid, Derwent have been drawn in Group 4.
A brilliant start to the season saw them go unbeaten until January, but their form since then has been patchy at best. New captain Yaw Frempong Koduah-Sarpong has hinted a five man defence will be employed, a standard for most third team sides in 2010, while trying to nick a goal at set pieces will be the modus operandi as Sarpong sends forward defender John Gow as his aerial threat.
They will challenge James seconds for a place in the Plate, but as is the case for most third team sides, elimination is likely at the group stage.
Drawn in Group 2 alongside Langwith firsts, Goodricke have to be considered as potential winners having scooped the Winter League and running Derwent firsts to the very last day in the Spring league.
Despite not having the flashiness of Halifax, or the defensive muscle of Derwent, captain Sam Lewis has a tight knit team sprinkled with players who can change the game, none more so than Jon Sharpe, who has proved unstoppable on certain days. The midfield is one of the best in the competition with Lewis as its spearhead.
A semi-final appearance should be a formality, but anything less than an appearance in the final would be a disappointment for a side brimming with confidence.
Drawn with Wentworth firsts in Group 3, Goodricke seconds will undoubtedly fancy their chances of progression the Cup.
An indifferent season in the Seconds league, in which they struggled for goals, could well be their downfall in the group stages. They have manipulated the crossover system to great effect bringing in Sam Astbury and Nick Dheir to add some considerable quality to the side. Christian Hammer acts as a creative outlet in the midfield.
Even if they don’t happen to reach the cup and even with their indifferent form, they will still be considered dark horses for the Plate.
A strong showing in third’s league will stand them in good stead for the cup, but being drawn in Group 1, it is likely to be a long group stages for the Hes East boys.
Much will hinge on the performances of forward Matt Burke, who will need to be clinical with the limited chances he has, while Goalkeeper Noel Rogers can expect to be the busiest player on the pitch in a group not lacking in attacking intent.
Beating Wentworth seconds is an imperative if they are to have any chance of reaching the Plate.
Just how good could Halifax be in this year’s cup? Well, when your first string almost solely consists of University first and second teamers, you’re bound to be good; but for the first years reading this, time for a history lesson. Halifax have been here before – as favourites in 2010 and with a team packed with quality, they were stunned by an organised Vanbrugh firsts in the groups, before being discarded by five goals at the hands of Alcuin firsts in the semi-finals.
Halifax under-performed in the leagues, failing to win either, so expect a backlash in the cup. With a settled team, Halifax look a frightening prospect; A hybrid 4-2-4 formation with Conor Brennan, Jack Beadle, Tom Ragan and Tom Day all firing will be difficult to stop.
Considered by many as the team that will crash the Cup party, Halifax seconds are the strongest second team by far having been the grateful recipient of those players dislodged from their first team, thanks to selection of UYAFC first teamers.
A frightening prospect in attack, Harry Pearson will be able to call upon Alex Reid, who has played University 1sts this year but is on his way back from injury and self-titled “goalscoring defender” and crossover Mark Lund, who has proved a menace in the Wednesday league all year. Ben Rea and Sam Dempster also bring their considerable experience as part of a gifted midfield.
A week three face off with James firsts will either sound them out as great pretenders or genuine threat.
Yet more proof (if it is needed) that Halifax has the strength in depth that other colleges could only dream about, Halifax comfortably won the Thirds league and will look to continue their good form in the College Cup.
Hamish Denham provides an expensive crossover attacking threat in front of midfield that plays a neat brand of football. Goalkeeper turned striker Jake Mundy is another player who could prove his worth in fantasy football, considered by some as the best kept secret in the cup.
Drawn in group three, they will vie with Langwith seconds for the final spot in the plate.
Could this be the time that it all comes together for James, after a disappointing grass season? James are drawn in the tricky Group 1, but should they negotiate that, they will surely be amongst the favourites to win it all.
In a team packed with talent, Tom Clarke and Mark Mcleod are the obvious stand outs and will add considerable quality in their first appearances of the year. The strong presence of Sam Clitheroe in goal and Oscar Lynch paired with Nick St. George forms the foundation for the rest of the side.
Both Vanbrugh firsts and Halifax seconds provide a stern test in the groups.
James will be keen to have a successful summer after some inconsistent performances on grass, in which lapses of concentration in defence cost them dearly. A much-changed side to the one of the first two terms, it is vital that they quickly gain a rapport if their college cup aspirations are to be met.
Matthew Bainbridge will be imperative to the success of this team, marshalling the team’s defence for the majority of the year while forward Lase Laleye will pose problems for opposing defences.
Drawn in Group 4 alongside Halifax and Alcuin firsts, progression to the Plate looks like being the most likely outcome.
James 3rds come into the Cup on the back of a good spring term; a largely unchanged side this year has been seen them improve dramatically and Plate qualification will undoubtedly be the aim in the unpredictable Group 2.
Brendan Norman is vital as the main creative player in the midfield and his service will look to provide the final ball for Tim Green, who will look to continue to be a potent threat in front of goal. Towering defender Nathan McCusker is an aerial threat at set-pieces.
James will be keen to gain revenge on Alcuin seconds after a controversial tie last year – the sides meet each other on May 12th.
Providing perhaps one of the biggest shocks of last year’s competition, beating a strong James team 3-1, Langwith were narrowly beaten by eventual winners Alcuin at the quarter-final stage. Losing several key players last summer has slowed down the progress that they seemed to be making and the side will be seen as target for both Derwent and Alcuin seconds in Group 2.
The defence is reasonably solid with Matt Wilcox, Luke Gardner and Liam Condron present, but finding a consistent partner to Bruce Starkey remains a problem – Matt Derry looks like a likely choice after showing promise toward the end of the Spring term.
After some organisational issues early on this year, Langwith 2nds have had a somewhat difficult year, but captain Craig Burnell can take positives from hardfought draws against Derwent, Alcuin and James.
The return from injury of Tom Lynch (and his troublesome long throw) comes as a boost in a team starved of recognised defenders. Box-to-box midfielder Luke Holbrook could do some damage against the third teams in the group.
Langwith are drawn in Group 3, where they will battle with Halifax thirds for a possible spot in the Plate.
The revelation of the Cup last season, Vanbrugh have struggled for consistency in the grass leagues. A mixed bag of results illustrates the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the side – a high drubbing Halifax 5-1 in term one, was followed by the low of conceding seven goals to Derwent 1sts.
The switch to Astroturf could bring the best of the side; Ali Prince returns to the side after impressing in his final season for UYAFC, while the likes of Rob Rix, Ziggy Heath will be a tenacious defensive pairing. Ben Stanier’s delivery from crosses will be vital.
Vanbrugh face two tough games against James firsts and Halifax seconds after being drawn in Group 1, but progression should be a formality. A final appearance at least will be the aim for captain Phil Taylor.
Vanbrugh seconds could fly under the radar as Plate contenders, after showing flashes of their ability in the Spring leagues.
Drawn in Group 4, they face an uphill task of overcoming Alcuin and Halifax firsts to reach the Cup, but they do possess players who can influence games. John Gill has had an excellent term, while Adam Jerrelle Lewis should justify his 5.9m price tag leading the attack. Goalkeeper Kallum Taylor, who has experience in the first team, is a safe pair of hands at the back.
Vanbrugh will dream of a Cup place, but progression to the Plate should be guaranteed.
At the centre of the controversy that ultimately lead to an expanded 24-team format, they will be keen to do their talking on the pitch, drawn in the unpredictable Group 2.
Vanbrugh will prove to be as stubborn in defence as they were last year, giving Derwent firsts a major score in a game which they hit they woodwork twice. The star of that game, Max Walter, will again return on the wing – he will look to supply striker Isaac Parkinson, who could be an astute pickup in fantasy football should Vanbrugh impress.
Elimination at the group stage is likely, but the target will undoubtedly be just to make the Plate.
This will be unchartered territory for team that has existed for just under a year – winning the playoff against Derwent 4ths could just be the start of the story.
Kimmy Tang-Wright is the creative outlet for a team that will need to defend for their lives against the first teams in their group, but with no pressure on them against the Wentworth 2nds and Goodricke 3rds, they could spring a surprise.
A fixture against their own first team will be an interesting affair for both sides.
Wentworth have traditionally been the underdogs in college football, especially at firsts level, but recent years has seen a revival of postgraduate football, and it took a Matt Hallam ‘Hand of God’ to prevent the purples from taking a share of the points against Derwent at the end of the Spring term league.
If Rich Rhodes can field his strongest eleven they stand a chance of gaining revenge against Derwent firsts in group 3, but teaching and lecturing commitments of much of the team can get in the way of a full selection.
Wentworth have picked up some quality in ex-Goodricke stalwart Adam Leadbeater, Samik Datta could again prove a handful on the wing, while up front Dom Green will be keen to repeat his 2010 performance in what could be his Wentworth swansong.
Drawn in a tough group, an ever-improving side, who notched seven victories in the league, could find the going tough, but should progress to the Plate.
Glaswegian manager Mark Eslick always shapes his team from a defensive position, so expect a packed no-nonsense midfield and a solid, well-marshalled defence. The team will not be without pace and flair however, which may be provided by crossovers Samik Datta and Lachie Murray, the two’s co-manager and also fastest man on campus. As always, expect no lack of fight from a squad largely made up of one year masters students who have forged a real togetherness in only a handful of matches over the last two terms.
Wentworth’s third string team has attracted over fifty different players over the year, which has reflected a poor set of results over the two terms.
The College Cup offers the chance for captain James Lomas to choose a regular squad and settle a team which will have to battle bravely to scrape into the Plate. Watch out for Mexican shot-stopper Humberto Bezares Arango, who has pulled out some dazzling saves over the year, as well as college stalwart Dan Horsfall, who will be keen be known for his playing as well as his refereeing wares.
College Cup 2011: The Preview
Image: Peter Iveson
Time to dust off those Astros, College Cup is back. An expanded twenty four team tournament format this year will undoubtedly produce a more absorbing College Cup than ever before. So, take a seat and let Nouse give you all the information you could ever need on the summer of football that awaits.
Favourites – Halifax firsts
We’ve been here before. Rewind back to 2010 and Halifax were installed as favourites to win it all. Call it a sense of entitlement, blame squad dynamics or blame something else, but however you see it, it was a tournament to forget. Docked points after fielding an ineligible player and being stunned by Vanbrugh firsts in the groups, Halifax could only limp through to the semi-finals, where they were given a footballing lesson by eventual champions Alcuin firsts. Their league form this year has also been less than spectacular, failing to capture either of the termly leagues. So what makes Halifax such strong favourites?
Because in this year, no one will have more quality – throughout their whole squad – than they will.
A quick skim through the squad list makes grim reading for their opponents in every department as Halifax look stronger than they were last year. Conor Brennan and Tom Ragan will lead the line in what will be their last year for Halifax, capping a run which has seen them both rise from their seconds side two years ago. Behind them, Jack Beadle, who is so dangerous in a true number ten role, will complete the best midfield line-up in the competition alongside Matt Mawdesley and Ash Daly. Part of another strong class of first years, Mawdesley will be a menacing midfield presence which should give licence for dead-ball specialist Daly to venture forward and try his luck from distance if needs be.
The only area of real concern is at the back, but it is a minor one. Halifax have taken steps to address their lack of height at the back, which cost them so dearly in their semi-final match up with Alcuin firsts, by adding giant Tom Patrickson to anchor a potential back three line up completed by Dan Turley and Dom Petschak.
A fortunate draw has found them placed in Group 4 alongside much changed defending champions Alcuin firsts who should be their only real test at the group stage. Beyond that, if they perform to their potential, it could be their cup to lose.
Next in Line – Derwent firsts & Goodricke firsts
The Great British weather saw to these two title chasing teams avoid each other in the league formats, but both are here on merit as potential champions elect.
Workmanlike, with a dash of finesse, is probably the best way to describe a Derwent side that takes all the momentum of winning the Spring League into the Cup. The back end of the term perhaps saw them at their best; a hard fought smash-and-grab victory over a stubborn Alcuin side in a game marred by dreadful pitch conditions put them in a position for the title, before they sealed it with a 1-0 victory against a resilient Wentworth, thanks in no small part to the reflexives of Goalkeeper Seb Treasure (and midfielder Matt Hallam).
Derwent did an excellent job in finding replacements for the core of the side they lost to graduation in 2010 and gained two out and out strikers that they craved, striking gold in the additions of first year duo David Kirk and Dan Atherton. Experience will be key to a Cup charge but Derwent have two players of high calibre to help them out. The experience and creative verve of Hallam will act as the attacking catalyst for both Kirk and Atherton while they will be able to call on Dom Henney who has enjoyed success in a target man role this year.
Goodricke were perhaps the surprise package of the Winter term and proved they were capable of taking the step up after narrowly exiting the cup in the quarter finals last year, losing in a mammoth penalty shoot-out to Halifax firsts. Much like Derwent, even though they might not have the big names from University Football, they are more than capable of getting the best of what they have, epitomised in a underrated midfield. In what it lacks in a vocal point, the midfield makes up for it in versatility; one potential cup line up could see Nick Dheir and fresher Luke Inness anchoring the midfield, allowing college stalwart Sam Lewis a free role to fully utilise his attacking wares. But however they decide to start, opposition teams will be doing everything they can to limit the revelation of the League in forward Jon Sharpe, whose Olympian pace and eye for goal will be key to a Goodricke title charge.
Choosing a favourite from the two is tough, but Derwent may carry the slightest of edges courtesy of finding the ‘softer’ side of the draw for a potential route to the final – a semi-final showdown with Halifax firsts looming for Goodricke. The final matches of the competition are never a formality for any side, but if Halifax firsts suffer a case of cold feet again this year, it could be one of these two filling their spot as favourites.
Outsiders – James firsts
Could this finally be the year that James emerge from being also-rans and capitalise on their potential? It’s not going to be easy, but if it’s going to happen, now is undoubtedly the time.
James will be the first to admit that they have under achieved in the leagues, suffering swathes of inconsistency over the course of the two terms, but the chance for several third years to step up when it matters and the inclusion of two UYAFC stalwarts could be the inspirational tonic needed spur them on.
James have a solid spine to their side with Goalkeeper Sam Clitheroe, Defender Oscar Lynch and Midfielder Richard Baxter, but the inclusion of UYAFC ever-presents Mark Mcleod and Tom Clarke, perhaps the two best players in competition, could provide the difference when everything is on the line. Some observers have suggested that Mcleod has been overshadowed in his previous Cup appearances by former free scoring team mate Mark Johnson; but without Mcleod next to him, there is no doubt that he wouldn’t have performed as well as he did. No one brings more to the table in terms of raw talent than the former UYAFC 1sts captain, his distribution bettered by no one and fired on by his impending graduation, 2011 could be the year that he comes to life.
Clarke, formerly on the books of League One outfit Yeovil Town, brings his considerable calibre to the college scene after turning heads with his first season with UYAFC. Naturally for a player competing against intra-mural players, he has the potential to run riot; equally comfortable on either foot, supreme awareness and bags of pace (which will be even more effective on the surface of the JLD), every team will need to compensate for him.
James have to remain focused -any mistakes akin to their group stage loss to Langwith firsts last year would leave the door open for upstarts Halifax seconds, who will keen to claim a shock place in the Cup proper with a squad laden with talent – both sides will meet each other on May 10th.
The Group of Death – Group 2
Goodricke 1sts, Langwith 1sts, Alcuins 2nds, Derwent 2nds, Vanbrugh 3rds, James 3rds
Even though Group 1 contains a strong Halifax seconds side who many have tipped to upset the balance of power, it’s possible that Group 2 could be where most of drama unfolds.
Goodricke are strong favourites for the group but Alcuin and Derwent seconds, both of whom have had a mixed bag this year, will relish a chance to knock off Langwith firsts, who’ve had a season to forget. In equal measure, James and Vanbrugh are two of the better thirds sides and are more than capable of snatching a result against either.
The real enigma in Group 2 is Langwith, who are seemingly a team of two halves. In a defence that should prove too much for either Alcuin or Derwent, Liam Condron provides the foundation, complimented by the much needed experience of Luke Gardener and Matt Wilcox alongside him. Despite this strength, scoring goals is still a major problem. Langwith have played talisman Bruce Starkey just about everywhere this year and word of him playing further back this year should be treated as a smokescreen – as forming a potential partnership with Matt Derry will be crucial to their chances of progressing.
Many of defending Plate champions Derwent seconds squad will look to their experience as part of the first team that demolished Langwith earlier this year as motivation and won’t be short on quality to do so. They have been astute in using their crossover players and will welcome Andy Jeffries and Steve Walwyn, two players imperative to the first team let alone the second. With the creativity of James Matthews in the middle of the park they will be a force to be reckoned with. Seemingly always involved in last-minute group stage drama, Alcuin seconds finally showed their potential in the Spring Seconds League, most notably in their 2-0 defeat of a strong Halifax seconds in the last game of the season. Traders of a neat passing game, the switch to the JLD should suit them but they will need striker Tom Hargreaves to continue find the net whereas centre backs Harry Billimore and crossover Chris Boyd will need to continue their rich vein of form if they have a chance of Cup progression.
Vanbrugh thirds finished in the top half of the Thirds League and will be a tenacious opposition, while James thirds will seek redemption against Alcuin seconds for an incident packed game in the groups last year – much of their hopes rest on striker Tim Green, who has scored some eye-popping goals in the league campaign.
5 GAMES YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
Spare time on your hands? Want a break from exam revision? Get yourself down to the JLD to watch five games crammed with potential.
James firsts vs Vanbrugh firsts – Monday Week 2 (K.O 3pm)
A corking match on opening day between two heavyweights – time to find out if James are for real.
Halifax thirds vs Goodricke seconds – Thursday Week 2 (K.O 2pm)
Halifax thirds ran away with the Thirds League and will fancy themselves to gatecrash the Plate competition. Goodricke seconds will provide a stern test of their resolve
Halifax seconds vs James fists – Tuesday Week 3 (K.O 2pm)
Time to see just how good a hyped-up Halifax 2nds are in a game that has the potential to seal James’s passage to the last eight or send them packing.
Alcuin firsts vs Halifax firsts – Tuesday Week 4 (K.O 4pm)
Halifax face their first real test with a chance to avenge their semi-final defeat of last year, a strong performance for Alcuin stakes their claim as dark horses.
Langwith firsts vs Derwent seconds – Tuesday Week 6 (K.O 4pm)
A potential decider for who advances into the cup and a derby game all rolled in to one, there is bound to be drama.