James top college football league after gameweek 3

Paul Taylor, helpless in the Vanbrugh goal.

There was a healthy competitive edge to all four of the games and while there obviously were winners and losers, the real winner on Sunday was college football as 22 Acres was amass with keen footballers despite the wet and windy afternoon.

JAMES 5 - 2 ALCUIN

James scorers: James Offord (2), Jody Rolfe, Andy Smith, Matt Vermuelen

Alcuin scorers: Dan Hyde, Udy Onwudike

The first game saw the much fancied Alcuin take on an undervalued James side. With an Alcuin win expected James seemed in defiant mood and quickly stretched into a 2 - 0 lead. Alcuin battled back and enjoyed long periods of pressure but a lack of clinical finishing, epitomised by a missed penalty from skipper Dan Cox and further defensive lapses allowed James to storm to a 5 - 2 victory.

The battling spirit shown by James was key to victory and the team were deservedly elated with the victory. The promising intake of freshers that James enjoyed contrasts starkly with Alcuin who have had to promote 2nd team players rather than freshers to fill the boots of Smith, Preston et al. The inimitable Myles Preston, the all-knowing, all-seeing college football guru, who graduated last year still managed to have his say, contacting the Yorker to remind everyone that "this time last year, we lost to James, won every other game in the autumn term league, and didnt lose another game until the college cup final, so I'm sure we will bounce back".

HALIFAX 3 - 1 VANBRUGH

Halifax scorers: Ian McKellow, Alex Richards, Joe Brennan

Vanbrugh scorers: Dan Hewitt (pen)

Halifax claimed another victory against a lacklustre Vanbrugh side and looked good value for their three goals. It's claimed by the scorers and supporters alike that both the goals in the opening half were something a bit special, with McKellow’s goal being branded a “wonder strike” and Richards’ a “bolt from the blue”, although there are unconfirmed reports that it was in fact a fluke. Despite Halifax skipper Harrison heavily contesting the award of Vanbrugh's penalty, the result never seemed in doubt. To seal matters Brennan’s second half goal ended the tie as a contest and allowed Halifax to cruise to victory.

GOODRICKE 4 - 4 LANGWITH

Goodricke scorers: Sam Lewis (3), Pollock

Langwith scorers: Starky (2), Grime, Lynch

There is little doubt about which side is happier with the result, Langwith finally have a point on the board and Goodricke are left to wonder where it all went wrong. While Goodricke did not play well and were missing some players it would be remiss to overlook the combative performance of the Langwith team which showed great strength of character to come back from their two previous heavy defeats. The game itself was somewhat a classic with the lead see-sawing between the two sides and despite the atrocious playing conditions some neat passing football.

The Langwith XI got their first point of the season

A mention must go to Sam Lewis who grabbed a hat-trick from the unfamiliar but nevertheless effective “Kaka role” that skipper Adam Lewis assigned to him. It’s onwards and upwards for Langwith and back to the drawing board for Goodricke who failed to build on their victory in last week’s match.

DERWENT 5 - 1 WENTWORTH

Derwent scorers: Anton Murphy (2), Alex Cooper (pen), Chris Barnett, John Pinkstone

Wentworth scorers: Steve Harrap

There were no shocks in the Derwent vs Wentworth game as Derwent romped to a convincing victory over a brave and battling Wentworth side. The score line is perhaps a little bit generous as Wentworth did compete for long stretches of the match, however the superior finishing and attacking flair of Derwent shone through and there can be no real complaints about the result. After a close opening 20 minutes where Wentworth were on top, led by skipper Andy Suggitt, Murphy strolled past several defenders in his usual fashion to enter the box. However, rather than ballooning his effort skywards or endangering the corner flag, the striker drilled home from 14 yards.

Derwent then pushed on with further goals from university players Cooper and Barnett. Goal of the game goes to Pinkstone's effort which was a Lampard-esque looping left-foot effort that dropped perfectly under the crossbar. A consolation goal from Harrap gave the Wentworth faithful something to cheer but ultimately they were outclassed despite the horrendous pitch.

League Table

1. James ..........7 (points) – 9 (goals for) – 4 (against)
2. Halifax...........6 – 10 – 6
3. Derwent.........6 – 8 – 4
4. Alcuin............6 – 8 – 8
5. Vanbrugh.......4 – 11 – 6
6. Goodricke......4 – 9 – 7
7. Langwith........1 – 7 – 17
8. Wentworth.....0 – 2 – 12

The table shows how open this term's league could be thanks to rejuvenated James and Halifax teams that will be looking to challenge Alcuin and Goodricke's dominance of last year. Derwent will also fancy themselves despite a slip-up against Alcuin, whilst Goodricke seem but a shadow of their college cup winning team drawing against what looked to be this term's whipping boys; Langwith. Wentworth have improved but are yet to pick up a point and their cup-final will be the Langwith fixture where the two sides will probably be playing for 7th place.

Prophesising and pontificating aside, this term's college football league will surely be a cracker. Check back on the Yorker soon for the most up-to-date news on college football.

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