Hall nick it
2 Teddy Hall - Somerville 1
SOMERVILLE'S HOPES OF the Premier Division championship all but vanished on Friday afternoon with a 2-1 defeat at Teddy Hall. Mark Richards' side went into the match on the back of a shock Cuppers defeat against first division St. Hugh's and their poor form continued as the home side deservedly took all three points.
Teddy Hall were forced to begin the match with ten men due to vice captain Dave Rawlins being held up in a tutorial. His appearance on ten minutes added impetus to a game which had begun in somewhat lacklustre fashion.
Hall's tricky left winger Steffan Knutson had provided the only glimpses of flair, frequently tormenting Andy Jarvis with some excellent close control. Indeed, Knutson helped create the first decisive moment, forcing the corner from which Nick Edwards gave SEH the lead. Edwards' close range turn and shot gave Somerville's goalscoring keeper Aled Jones no chance.
Teddy Hall, keen to make up for their 4-1 hammering by league leaders Magdalen last week, continued to play flowing football and create chances. Edwards up front was a constant thorn in the visitors' side, linking particularly well with Toms Harper and Morgan.
It was no surprise therefore when they doubled their lead after 30 minutes. Morgan ran at the centre of a beleaguered Somerville defence and was only stopped by a rugged challenge from Jarvis. Whether the foul was committed inside or outside the box was a point of contention but the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Harper calmly slotted home from 12 yards.
The home side looked to be cruising but were immediately pegged back when Iwan Evans capitalised on defensive confusion to curl the ball into the corner. It was a much needed life-line for Somerville who had barely threatened up to that point.
The half time break did not halt Somerville's momentum and they nearly got back on level terms early in the second period. Hall captain Dave Williams was forced to clear the ball from inside his own six yard box after Evans charged down keeper Michael Ford's clearance.
This moment epitomised the performance of Williams who was a tower of strength at the heart of the home side's rearguard, keeping free-scoring Chris Pickering under wraps for most of the match.
However Williams can count himself lucky not to have been the villain of the piece, fortunately escaping a red card on 58 minutes. Hands were raised in reaction to a shirt pull by Dave Hatchett but the referee controversially did not deem this violent conduct and both players were cautioned.
As the match wore on so Hall sat further and further back soaking up Somerville pressure. Despite considerable spells in possession the visitors were unable to create clear cut chances, frequently running up against a wall of maroon and yellow shirts.
Hall could easily have sewn the match up with a third goal - twice Edwards failed to convert after being put clean through on goal. They weren't to rue those missed chances and held on through more than five minutes of stoppage time to claim three points.
After the match Somerville striker Pickering was quick to point the finger of blame away from his own side. "That was the worst referee we've had all season," he complained. Somerville were particularly aggrieved at the decision not to send off Williams, but the Teddy Hall skipper described the incident as 'six of one and half a dozen of the other.'
Controversial refereeing decisions have dogged the college Premier Division this season but there will be no debate as to the destination of the title honours.
This match between two of the pretenders to the throne only sought to confirm the security of Magdalen in first place, as neither SEH nor Somerville provided conclusive evidence that they will be able to sustain a challenge to Steve Free's side.
15th Feb 2001