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Written by Ronan Joyce
Favourites for the competition have to be Alcuin 1sts, winners of both the Autumn and Spring 1sts’ leagues. Indeed, Myles Preston’s team have shown a level of consistency unrivalled across the college spectrum throughout the winter months, and the squad can only benefit from the relaxation of University 1st team quotas for the summer term. While the winter leagues permit only one University 1sts player to be on the pitch for his side at any time, the summer cup removes all such restrictions.
With that in mind, Preston is relishing Alcuin’s assault on an unprecedented ‘treble’, all the while acknowledging that "a certain amount of luck is going to be needed’ to emerge victorious- a feat he admits would be historic."
A lot will depend on how some of our first years transfer to playing 11-a-side on the astro[turf],
"A lot will depend on how some of our first years transfer to playing 11-a-side on the astro[turf]" Preston says, whilst admitting Alcuin’s reliance on some of their more senior players: "The form of our big-game players like Henry Smith and Dan Cox will go a long way to deciding whether we are good enough to win this tournament."
Undoubtedly, the possibility of uniting University 1st team players Smith and Murrills increases Alcuin’s options, but it is this ruling that makes Goodricke favourites, according to Preston. Adam Lewis, Goodricke 1sts’ captain, will have at his disposal Ramsden, Wilson and O’Shea. Such a trio has made Preston believe "the pressure is on them."
With words that seem to commence the psychological mind games, the Alcuin captain emphasises the difficult position Goodricke 1sts are in: "They haven't won anything in quite a while, and with all of the University football options that they’ve got, anything less than victory would be a massive disappointment for them."
Such an assessment has been dismissed by Lewis, who accuses Preston of "trying to stoke the fire." Indeed, the defiance of the Goodricke captain suggests his Alcuin counterpart is in danger of getting his hand burnt. Lewis states merely that his side ‘can’ win the competition, but stresses the openness of a competition where a seconds’ team (Halifax 2nds) reached last year’s final four.
"A lot of players are leaving at the end of the year so this is their last chance of silverware" says Lewis. "[They] will be even more motivated as they haven't won anything this year despite having such a good team. It’s no use saying we’re good when we don’t produce."
Lewis is looking at the positives regarding his University 1st team options, and rather than seeing their presence as tantamount to extra pressure, he emphasises the added class these players bring: "The experience of Dom, Wils and Rambo, who can all play together now, will add to the steely determination of the squad."
Unquestionably, both Alcuin and Goodricke 1st teams will have much to say about the destiny of this year’s competition. With Alcuin the league champions and Goodricke last year’s Astroturf 6-a-side champions, their credentials are clear for all to see. Preston has singled out Jack Delaney as a key figure for Alcuin, while Goodricke will no doubt look to talisman Owen Grafham, bound to benefit from the additional class of University 1sts’ players.
All this said, the competition is not solely Goodricke vs. Alcuin, and the 1st teams of Vanbrugh, Derwent and Halifax will certainly be there or there abouts. There is also a depth of 2nd teams who will eagerly eye a run beyond the group stages, most notably Vanbrugh, Goodricke and Derwent.
All will begin to unfold a few weeks from now, with the group stages consisting of four groups of four- the top two progressing to knockout quarter finals. Before that, a third team qualifying competition will take place, the winners entering the main event. And while seeding implies the big guns are likely to progress early on, the unpredictability of the college arena suggests it will be explosive from the very start.
Goodricke also have a massive advantage in the arial ability of Chris Grayland from Remi's set pieces which is where the uni seconds have looked dangerous all year. I think the key for Goodricke will be getting free kicks in and around their opponents area to use this threat to its maximum! They also have a superb midfield and attack which on astro at pace will be hard to stop for any back four! Goodricke will win. Alcuin won't even reach the final as their 3 center backs - Preston, Delaney, and Swan are all pretty slow which is vital on Astro!
Wonder who this anonymous *61 is eh?! Hmmm...I reckon Ive got a small idea of whom it could be...
Very good points though Anonymous *61. Youve highlighted exactly why Goodricke are surely favourites!
Chris Grayland isn't even in Jake Delaney's league when it comes to aerial ability. If Remi is knocking in crosses, and Delaney is marking Grayland, then there is only one winner.
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