Cox steers Alcuin into semis

The first half was a tentative affair, with neither side offering any fluency going forward. Halifax came closest when left-back Dom Petschak was allowed to stroll inside from a wide position and unleash a drilled shot that ‘keeper Michael Wynd did well to tip round the upright. The support that had gathered on the sidelines seemed restless as no nonsense defending sucked the life out of what was expected to be a mouth watering match up of a quarter final. The half-time whistle brought sighs of relief all round as both captains had the chance to reinvigorate their teams after a lacklustre first half.

The opening exchanges after the break showed signs of improvement. Neat build-up between Ali Laird and Dan Cox allowed baby-faced assassin Ed Murrils to strike from range. His accuracy let him down on this occasion as he dragged his shot wide. But it was Murrils who broke the deadlock minutes later. As Halifax stepped up from a clearance to play the offside trap the pint-sized Miles McDermott timed his run to perfection to break clear on the right hand side of the box, and his delivery served up a goalscoring chance on a plate for Murrils, who feasted on it to notch up his 6th of the campaign, just two away from the Golden Boot.

Alcuin’s breakthrough saw them grow in confidence. College football stalwart Dan Hyde began to assert himself down the left wing and his interchange with Ali Laird was causing Halifax right back John Halstead several problems, though mainly due to Alex Richards’ inability to track back. Many would have written off Halifax at this stage as Alcuin began stringing together more fluid moves. But Halifax clawed their way back into the contest after marvellous work from man of the match Ben Rea. The diminutive centre midfielder looked to be the second part of a comedy little and large act with Alex Richards, but unlike the latter he wasn’t here for a laugh. His determined and somewhat unexpectedly powerful run eventually brought him enough room to work in a cross from the left. It was substitute Hugh Pryce who was quickest to react as he stooped low to head into the bottom left-hand corner to pull Halifax level.

The tie was back in the balance. Halifax believed. Alcuin were rocked back, but they responded superbly. Parris Williams hounded the Halifax defence time and time again and nearly got his reward when he lobbed Andy Young and tried to follow up to make sure, only to be denied by a sublime goal-saving tackle from Dom Petschak. Alcuin did manage to restore their lead as Dan Hyde, who grew ever influential as the game wore on, squared the ball for skipper Dan Cox to guide it first-time into the corner.

Halifax threw on college football’s highest ever goalscorer in the shape (and size) of Dom Green, but even he couldn’t rescue Halifax this time. Alcuin progress but they will surely have to put on a better display to get past favourites Derwent 1sts in the semi-final.

Tuesday's Plate tie had Wentworth first beating their second string by a single goal to set up a semi final with Goodricke seconds. Andy Suggit's first half strike separated the sides in a game that Wentworth firsts never looked like losing. Suggit and the ever impressive Samik Datta could have added to the score line but were denied well by the second team keeper.

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