Bamford heralds New dawn
In a match watched quite literally by just one man and his dog, New College moved back into second spot in the First Divison as Wadham were swept aside on Monday afternoon.
Last season these two teams were competing in the top flight, yet while New now have their sights set on a speedy return, this game was symptomatic of the demise of once mighty Wadham.
The home side looked uneasy from the start, the ball rarely leaving their half for more than the time it took for New's defence to kick their clearances back at them.
With just four minutes left on the clock a cross from New captain Kevin Doak found Danny Bamford, who had peeled off his marker to head in his side's first at the near post.
Wadham's tedious long ball game almost paid off as Jamie Gruffydd-Jones chased down a lengthy kick and tussled through into the box only for his shot to drift tamely wide of the post. Although New still had the lion's share of possession, Wadham's Phil Elks was also unlucky to see his audacious lob crash against the crossbar.
Half an hour in, New's Shouvick Saha released Bamford for his second, courtesy of a monstrously struck half-volley.
This lead might have been extended were it not for the heroics of Wadham's man of the match, keeper Paul McMahon. A former England Under-19 cricket captain, McMahon's authority shone through as his side hung on until the break.
At half time the man and his dog, evidently Wadham supporters, decided to leave. Their judgment was vindicated ten minutes after the restart when Tom Clare made it 3-0.
Doak won the ball in the box, and though his shot was parried by McMahon, nothing could be done to keep out the formidable strike.
The steady strengthening of the biting wind during the game clearly favoured Wadham.
Paul Butcher sped past the otherwise stalwart Ben Thomas, and finished well to grab one back against the run of play.
Two minutes later, Wadham's Paul Luckhurst volleyed back a punched clearance from the keeper. Ben Stoner in goal appeared to make a comfortable catch only for the ball to squirm through his hands and over the line.
Thankfully justice was served and Wadham were unable to find the undeserved third to spoil New's afternoon.
For New, disappointed last week at Pembroke, this performance was not just a happy reminder of their prestigious past, but quite possibly an insight into a more exciting future as well.
3rd Feb 2005