Oxford Pay the Penalty
Two penalties from Damian Kelley saw the Varsity trophy return to Cambridge for the first time since 1988 last Friday night. In front of a boisterous Manor Ground crowd, the Light Blues defeated the Dark Blues 3-1, scoring their first goals in the fixture since 1996 in the process.
The key to the Cambridge victory lay in their crucial tactical decision to man-mark Oxford's scoring legend Deji Davies. Philip Treharne performed this role superbly for the Light Blues, leaving Davies an extremely frustrated man.
He fought vainly all match, but everywhere Deji turned, Treharne lay in his path. Although his strike partner Thierry Richards had an excellent game, deputising for Oxford's injured captain Steve Rishworth, the effective loss of Davies' attacking threat was a severe blow to Oxford's chances of success.
The two Cambridge penalties effectively settled the match. The first, after barely ninety seconds of play was awarded after the flag of the assistant referee brought referee Paul Durkin's attention to a handball in the area. Damian Kelley gleefully dispatched the spot-kick and Oxford trailed one-nil.
The second, on 72 minutes, ended any hopes of an Oxford fight-back. Cambridge's Goran Glamocak was clearly pulled down in the box, and Kelley netted again. In truth, Durkin had little option other than to award the penalties in both cases.
In between, Oxford had truly battled hard to keep up their recent proud Varsity record. The industrious Kevin Costello, Oxford's captain for the night, in his right-wing back role, and central-defender James Redmayne and midfielder Osman Akkaya stood out alongside Thierry Richards.
Akkaya, a first year Law student from St Peter's College, was perhaps Oxford's star man. Time and time again he broke down the left, then chased back to win the ball in midfield. Then, on 34 minutes, he smashed home a glorious 25 yard half-volley which looped under the cross-bar and levelled the scores.
Confidence returned to the Oxford play. Deji Davies, momentarily breaking free from Treharne, flashed a header wide, before Irvin Studin was twice denied by excellent Cambridge defending on the right.
As half-time approached, the Dark Blues nearly took the lead, as Studin's cross from the left was almost met by Davies, only for that man Treharne to clear. Yet, just as fourth official Mr J Crook indicated three minutes were left to play, Cambridge stormed forward.
Kelley won a throw down their right. A long throw by full-back Ben Challis was flicked on at the near post, and, as Glamocak tussled with Redmayne and Adamson in the area, the ball ran to the far-post, where David Harding prodded home. Seconds later the half-time whistle was finally blown, and Oxford were facing the cliched uphill battle.
The second-half saw Oxford initially push men forward in search of an equaliser. Thierry Richards' pace caused increasing problems for the Cambridge defence, but with Davies still under the detailed supervision of Treharne, captain Mark Hepburn and his fellow defenders retained the Light Blues' lead.
However, their goalkeeper Daniel Madden was forced to save well from a Richards' header on 56, and was fortunate to escape ten minutes later, when Osman Akkaya rounded him, only to see his weak shot cleared by Hepburn.
Three minutes later Kevin Costello shot narrowly wide after a fine run down the right-hand side, before James Redmayne headed his corner just over the bar. Defender Mike Adamson's superb clearance prevented Harding from grabbing his second moments earlier.
Cambridge's second penalty and third goal ended Oxford's dreams of a fightback. Both Glamocak and Kelley went close after a bizarre incident in which play was held up for three minutes whilst Oxford 'keeper Cassarella looked for a replacement contact lens.
With ten minutes left, Oxford brought on Matthew Elliot to replace Mark Addley in defence. Surely, thought many an Oxford United fan at the match, the omen of a Matt Elliot playing at the Manor would see an Oxford comeback? Unfortunately, the current Leicester City defender's namesake failed to inspire the necessary response from the Dark Blues.
However, on 83 Oxford were perhaps unlucky to be denied a penalty, after Treharne appeared to manhandle Davies just inside the area. As Paul Durkin waved play on, Oxford's hopes of Varsity victory were also waved goodbye.
There was still time for Cambridge substitute Tim Hall to spurn a glorious opportunity for a fourth Light Blues' goal, before Durkin's whistle rang out. Oxford's three-year reign as Varsity champions was over, as Cambridge grabbed their 46th win to Oxford's 44 victories in the 117 year-old series.
¥Turn to page 22 for more reaction to the match.
17th May 2001