Saints Progress to Semis
St Catz booked their place in the semi finals with an assured performance in their victory over Somerville. Two goals by Ben Isaacs in the first half helped to give Catz the upper hand before Somerville got one back in the second half.
Catz started very quickly and pressurized the Somerville goal, with two shots within the first two minutes by Andy Wright and Isaacs, the latter of which required a good save from the Somerville goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, however, the pressure paid off as Isaacs slotted St Catz into the lead after being put through by Wright.
Within 20 seconds St. Catz were ahead by two goals when Isaacs scored after the ball was crossed along the ground into the centre.
Somerville pressed forward but good defending from Catz prevented them from getting a shot in.
Eventually they did however, with Ally Moir going close. Towards the end of the half, Somerville's fiery midfielder Nicky Tamlyn was fouled on the edge of the area, but nothing came of the free kick. Tamlyn had a good shot from distance moments later, before Catz nearly went 3-0 up when Wright hit a shot which hit the post but stayed out just before half time.
The second half naturally started at a quick pace with Somerville having the better of the opening few minutes in pursuit of goals. St Catz hit back however with Archie Hardyment making a good run and forcing a close save. Somerville seemed unable to get out of their own half for a while before finally Sean Boyle had a couple of good shots saved by Catz goalkeeper Steve Atree.
William Johnson had a further chance saved before Somerville were rewarded for their persistence with a goal by Bennett after good interplay with Tamlyn. The pace naturally quickened towards the end, with Somerville desperately seeking an equaliser.
It was not to be, however, as Isaacs almost scored a hat-trick after a fumble from the goalkeeper before the final whistle.
Somerville were unlucky not to get more from this game, but good defending and a dominance at the other end by St. Catz ensured that it was they who advanced into the semis.
In the second quarter final of the tournament St Hugh's triumphed in dramatic fashion with a goal by Nick Lockwood in the final tenseconds of the game. It was a tough ending for Magdalen in what was a relatively equal game.
It was Magdalen who started the brighter with an early shot from Chris Woodcock almost giving them an early goal.
He then did some neat passing and interplay with Kunal Khatri and John Adamson which sadly did not produce a goal as Magdalen surged forward.
It was nonetheless St Hugh's who had the better early chances, with Chris Patterson and Lockwood going close before Ollie Thomas forced Magdalen goalkeeper Marcus Alders into a save at full stretch. Rob Forder also had a shot that went close for St Hugh's. Just before half time, Khatri made a clear run into the box after a 1-2 with Graham Humphreys, but his shot just wide.
The second half was similarly balanced between the two sides with Woodcock shooting at the goalkeeper and Lockwood shooting wide for St. Hugh's but all to no avail.
The match began to take an ugly turn soon afterwards as frustration began to set in with the score line still at 0-0. Will Hardyment of St. Hugh's and Khatri of Magdalen were both the victims of hard fouls as each side became impatient. The pressure showed when the Hugh's goalkeeper conceded a free kick for kicking the ball over head height, as Magdalen demanded a penalty.
Both sides had chances toward the end, however it was Lockwood' strike that won it for Hugh's, just after the referee had called out that there were ten seconds left.
Magdalen may count themselves a little unlucky, but Hugh's deserved the win due to their greater flair.
10th Jun 2004