Reserves do battle
Worcestor's Owen Dutton nurses a bruised jaw during the Reserves League title decider
College Football
Worcester 2nds 1 - 2 New 2nds
NEW COLLEGE 2nd XI triumphed in a tense encounter at Worcester on Tuesday afternoon with a 2-1 win that consolidates their position at the top of the hotly-contested inter-college Reserves League. With both teams having won every game so far this season, Worcester with a game in hand and marginally higher goal difference, this match was always going to be an intense, hard-fought affair.
The confrontation was deemed so significant – potentially deciding the league – that top referee Chris Banks was summoned to preside, as were two qualified referee's assistants: a rarity at best in the Reserves League. Worcester had the best of the early sparring, but it was not until the 40th minute that a clear-cut opportunity arose: Worcester striker Andrei Grecu laying a perfectly- weighted pass into the path of Dan Barnett, but the shot went well wide.
The breakthrough for New came just two minutes later, following a spell of sustained pressure that owed much to the persistence of diminutive forward Ifan Daniels. A powerful throw from Gideon Elford found the back of the Worcester net via the hand of unsighted keeper Chris Kyriacou.
Some solid defensive work from Worcester centre halves Chris Beanland and Andy Stewart suffered a momentary lapse ten minutes into the second half when a misplaced pass-back was intercepted by New striker Vikram Ghandi, who duly slotted home to increase the Worcester deficit to two goals.
A Worcester resurgence characterised the remainder of the second half – a resurgence that bore fruit in the 65th minute when a wellplaced cross from right back Andy Holmes bisected the New back line to find fellow full back Matt Roberts. He managed to avoid the attention of right back Julian Priestly and deliver a clinical finish to give Worcester some hope.
Prolonged pressure from the Worcester midfield, embodied by some powerful long-range efforts from Toby Davies, failed to break the New College defensive stronghold made tight by the strength of centre backs Rob Nield and Thomas Fletcher. The arrival of a third Worcester striker, Robbie Martin, 15 minutes before the end still wasn't enough for them to crack the back line.
The final whistle effectively ended the dog-fight at the top of the Reserves League, and the elation on the faces of the New team was testament to what has been an incredible year for captain Sean Mullooly and his side.
17th Feb 2005