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
Sunday's scores were as follows:
The main attraction of the day was definitely Alcuin vs Goodricke and although it wasn't a classic for the neutral, there was some great football on show. As the scoreline suggests it was a tale of two defences, with few clear-cut chances for either side, and Jake Delaney and Chris Grayland dominant in the air for their respective teams. Old boys Oatridge and Stratton were embroiled in a scrappy war in the middle of the park, with challenges flying in from left, right, and centre, whilst Colin High and Ed Murrills attempted to carve out openings with their incisive passing. The first half was exceptionally tight, but in the second half Goodricke started to turn the screw with Ramsden asserting his authority in the middle of the park. This resulted in a difficult twenty minute spell for Alcuin, who found themselves under the cosh but Goodricke failed to significantly test keeper Wynd.
Goodricke skipper Adam Lewis brought on Dom O'Shea for Ramsden, but despite O'Shea's fresh legs, the Alcuin midfield began to battle back and reassert themselves, with the ever-reliable Kit Edwards consistently covering every blade of grass to track his man and put in a tackle. Goalkeeper George Taylor nearly cost Goodricke the match by taking too much time on the ball and kicking the ball into Dan Cox, with the ball subsequently rolling past the post. Both Goodricke and Alcuin continued to look dangerous on the break, but a draw was certainly a fair result, which leaves both teams on 11 points and Alcuin with a superior goal difference (although goal difference does not count towards college points).
Elsewhere Derwent were defeated for the first time this season, with McWilliams the unlikely match-winner for Vanbrugh. The experienced defender played a holding midfield role but uncharacteristically popped up in the opposition box to score unchallenged from 2 yards after an unlucky bobble on a tame cross left Derwent goalkeeper Amoroso stranded. Derwent debutant Ben Smith missed his side's best opportunity in a hotly-contested, and at times heated game, with few clear-cut chances that looked like it was headed for a 0-0 draw. McWilliams had earlier missed a controversial penalty for Vanbrugh but his 80th minute tap-in was enough to win the game, finishing 1-0 in Vanbrugh's favour.
Langwith rolled over Wentworth 6-1, with Shaun Lloyd-Griffiths returning to smash in five and continue to dumfound his critics who have been saying for years that he can't play football. Halifax lost yet again, this time to a resurgent James College 2-1, and this leaves Halifax way off of the pace in a league that they finished second in last term.
With only two games left to play, Alcuin and Goodricke can't afford to slip up with Vanbrugh breathing down their necks on nine points, and Derwent still in the hunt on 8 points despite only picking up one point from their last two games. James College continue to battle on, but Langwith, Wentworth, and an out-of-sorts Halifax team are all struggling to make a significant impact in this league, although it must be said that Langwith have been unlucky not to pick up many points from previous weeks. As with last term, Alcuin and Goodricke continue to be the dominant forces in college 1st team football, but that could change in the next two weeks with two fixtures remaining and all to play for!
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