Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Michael Sneddon
Monday
11:00 - Goodricke 1sts 2-0 Langwith 1sts
12:00 - Halifax 2nds 1-3 Alcuin 2nds
14:00 - Halifax 1sts 2-1 Wentworth 1sts
15:00 - Derwent 2nds 3-2 James 2nds
Tuesday
11:00 - Derwents 1sts 1-1 Vanbrugh 1sts
12:00 - Goodricke 2nds 1-0 Langwith 2nds
Thursday
11:00 - Alcuin 1sts 3-1 James 1sts
12:00 - Vanbrugh 2nds 4-0 Wentworth 2nds
Adam Lewis
Monday
11:00 - Goodricke 1sts 4-0 Langwith 1sts
12:00 - Halifax 2nds 1-1 Alcuin 2nds
14:00 - Halifax 1sts 2-0 Wentworth 1sts
15:00 - Derwent 2nds 2-1 James 2nds
Tuesday
11:00 - Derwents 1sts 2-0 Vanbrugh 1sts
12:00 - Goodricke 2nds 3-0 Langwith 2nds
Thursday
11:00 - Alcuin 1sts 2-1 James 1sts
12:00 - Vanbrugh 2nds 3-0 Wentworth 2nds
In order to secure winning the group 1, Goodricke 1sts should easily overcome a Langwith 1sts side who have already secured their place in the plate. Also another clean sheet for that defence. The other match in group 1 could potentially be one of the games of the tournament with two similar sides going all out to secure second spot. Based purely on their performances against Goodricke 1sts so far, I plump for a draw to secure Halifax a place in the cup. Alcuin 2s as dark horses for the plate though...
Halifax 1sts should overcome a dogged Wenty, despite Danny Horsefall's heroics as manager. Again the Derwent 2s and James 2s game should be a cracker, but I believe that Derwent have more match winners in James Grey, David 'Slot' Slater and Matt Waller.
Derwent have more match winners in James Grey, David 'Slot' Slater and Matt Waller
Tuesday sees the game that could dump Vanbrugh 1sts out the cup, and I can see it happening. Derwent still want to guarantee top spot and will perform in front of the big crowd for this one. Inside knowledge tells me Gouland is missing for the tie, and I see Derwent's defence shutting out any test that Vanbrugh throw at them. Goodricke 2nds should secure 2nd spot and a game against Goodricke 1sts in the knockouts as long as manager Sneddon leaves himself off the pitch.
Another cracking tie sees Alcuin and James 1s battle it out. Both teams will want to put on a display, but the main thing Coxy and Matt Smith will be telling their men is 'no injuries'. Alcuin just to scrape it. Vanbrugh twos have impressed me when I've seen them and I can see them doing well in the plate, comprehensive victory for Schultzy's men.
Myles Preston
Monday
11:00 - Goodricke 1sts 2-0 Langwith 1sts
12:00 - Halifax 2nds 1-2 Alcuin 2nds
14:00 - Halifax 1sts 2-0 Wentworth 1sts
15:00 - Derwent 2nds 2-0 James 2nds
Tuesday
11:00 - Derwents 1sts 1-0 Vanbrugh 1sts
12:00 - Goodricke 2nds 2-0 Langwith 2nds
Thursday
11:00 - Alcuin 1sts 2-0 James 1sts
12:00 - Vanbrugh 2nds 2-0 Wentworth 2nds
Goodricke 1sts will surely be too strong for Langwith in their pursuit of a second successive college cup title that will placate the fans who yearned for a college title. However, the big game of the day is surely Halifax 2nds against Alcuin 2nds. A phone conversation with Mr Udy Onwudike has confirmed what I already know - Alcuin 2nds will come out of the doldrums and be too strong for Halifax 2nds, with Pickard bagging two headers (apparently his leg has yet to recover from an attack by an unknown assailant in Holland).
Halifax 1sts should beat Wentworth 1sts with relative ease - expect a goal from Dom 'Prolific' Green, and expect Derwent 2nds to comfortably beat James 2nds, with David Slater shooting on sight, and Lacaille and Grey performing a whole host of pointless tricks to leave fans and players flabbergasted by such arrogance on the JLD.
Derwent 1sts have probably got a bit too much quality for a Vanbrugh 1sts side that have maybe suffered from a little bit of complacency following their well-deserved title win. Michael 'Special One' Sneddon's Goodricke side will outfox and outplay a poor Langwith 2nds side to complete Tuesday's fixtures.
On Thursday, I am looking forward to watching Alcuin 1sts comprehensively beat James 1sts, with Ed Murrills asserting his authority in a midfield devoid of the golden locks of Jake Delaney. Vanbrugh 2nds, marshaled by Chris Schultz, will have too much for Wentworth 2nds, and I'm backing Schultz to get on the score sheet as well. He deserves it.
Shaun Evans
Monday
11:00 - Goodricke 1sts 4-0 Langwith 1sts
12:00 - Halifax 2nds 2-1 Alcuin 2nds
14:00 - Halifax 1sts 3-0 Wentworth 1sts
15:00 - Derwent 2nds 3-1 James 2nds
Tuesday
11:00 - Derwents 1sts 1-2 Vanburgh 1sts
12:00 - Goodricke 2nds 3-0 Langwith 2nds
Thursday
11:00 - Alcuin 1sts 2-1 James 1sts
12:00 - Vanbrugh 2nds 3-0 Wentworth 2nds
Should be a cracking week of football! I’d expect a comfortable Goodricke victory on Monday morning to start things off. It will be interesting to see how Halifax (and their important cross-over players) adapt to having two games within one afternoon. The 1sts will want to get back to winning ways after last week’s 1-1 draw. From what I’ve heard, Derwent 2nds performed very well last week and I suspect that they’ll have too much strength and quality for James 2nds.
Derwent v Vanburgh on Tuesday morning should prove to be an almighty clash – I’m looking forward to this one. Derwent undoubtedly possess an abundance of class throughout their ranks yet Vanburgh are gifted with a wealth of experience and a collective team grit and determination to rival any college at the university. Vanburgh will have to adopt a more attacking style of play than usual – expect big performances from Matt Witherwick and Jonny McWilliams; Anton Murphy has been on about this one for a while and they won’t want to endure his satisfaction if things don’t go the right way. Slender Vanburgh victory – a dramatic last minute winner on the cards!
James and Alcuin – two very evenly matched teams capable of playing some gorgeous football. Mark Johnson looks to be in impressive form and his creativity in the middle of the pitch alongside Mark McLeod will cause Alcuin problems. That said, I fancy Dan Cox’s Alcuin with their more diverse array of attacking options to edge this one – Laurie Swan thunderbolt header to secure the victory.
Mathew Witherwick
Monday
11:00 - Goodricke 1sts 5-0 Langwith 1sts
12:00 - Halifax 2nds 3-2 Alcuin 2nds
14:00 - Halifax 1sts 4-0 Wentworth 1sts
15:00 - Derwent 2nds 3-1 James 2nds
Tuesday
11:00 - Derwents 1sts 0-1 Vanbrugh 1sts
12:00 - Goodricke 2nds 2-2 Langwith 2nds
Thursday
11:00 - Alcuin 1sts 3-0 James 1sts
12:00 - Vanbrugh 2nds 4-1 Wentworth 2nds
I expect an easy an straightforward win for Goodricke against a Langwith side that have been struggling all year. Halifax will also ensure progression against Wentworth while I expect further victories from both Derwent and Halifax 2nds.
Tuesday sees the big game with Vanbrugh 1sts potentially falling out of the competition. I have to back my team though and genuinely think we will have the required quality to see Derwent off in what will undoubtedly be a very close game. I'm also going for a 2-2 draw between Goodricke and Langwith in a game that may well see Goodricke suffer from the same symptoms of 'complacency' that saw them topple Vanbrugh.
Expect Thursday to see straightforward wins for both Acuin and Van 2nds. James are a decent side but I believe that Alcuin have a lot more quality over the field and are far more suited to the astroturf. I still believe van 2nds will qualify from this group.
Not sure Matt Witherwick has got close with any of his Wenty picks
You realise they all said Wentworth would lose...
(Matt is the only one that said you'd even score)
Yeah I realise, am only giving him stick 'cause he predicted a loss for our 2nds against Van 3rds a couple of weeks ago. Been an awesome tourney.
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