Alcuin edge into final after penalty drama

Alcuin again won on penalties

Having seen their first team bow out of the tournament to Derwent earlier this week Halifax fielded a physically imposing side intent on powering their way to the final.

The game was barely a few minutes old when Alcuin captain Henry Smith picked up the ball in the final third, knocked it past the challenge of the Halifax defender into the box and poked the ball home into the bottom right. Any thoughts that Alcuin would run away with the game were quickly dispelled as Halifax gained a foothold in the game, channeling the ball through combative centre-midfielder Johhny Curtis to their strong front pairing. Whilst they were largely restricted to snap shots, Alcuin’s experienced centre-back pairing had to be at their best to contain the Halifax attack.

Alcuin were by no means on the back foot, their direct approach resulting in several corners from which they always threatened to extend their lead. It was Halifax who had the ball in the net next however. A chipped pass from the midfield had the Alcuin keeper rushing to claim the ball, under heavy pressure he spilled it into the centre of the box to the feet of a Halifax player, the Alcuin left-back desperately lunged to block the shot, illegally sliding in the process. The referee blew for a penalty just before the ball was knocked into the empty net and Halifax were forced to get their name on the scoresheet from the spot. Their striker struck the ball unconvincingly down the middle and Guy Vine was unlucky not to get more on the shot as he saw it cross the line.

The teams went into the break level and knowing that there was a battle to come in the second half, in a match that will go down as one of the most physical in the cup. The football was rarely fluid and given the importance of the tie this was understandable. It was evident that every player on the park put 100% in, hoping to help their team progress through sheer determination. As the players inevitably tired, the chances came faster, Alcuin seeing good chances go wide from their defender and winger and another Smith shot clip the outside of the post late on.

Halifax must have thought they scored when a corner evaded everyone but their man at the back post. His thunderous volley seemed destined for the top corner before a miracle save from Vine in the Alcuin net saw the ball turned onto the inside of the post before being cleared. Shortly after Halifax were incensed that Alcuin received a free-kick on the edge of the area for handball, after the referee had seemingly waved play-on. Smith tried a cheeky quick free-kick which rolled in, but was denied as he had not requested to try it. His second attempt was no less audacious, a scoop over the wall landed on the top of the bar twice before going out for a goal-kick.

After each side had narrowly failed to take the lead the match went to penalties. Alcuin went in confident after their quarter-final victory in a shoot-out but Halifax won the toss and chose to have the first take. Alcuin looked the more convincing as the score stood at 2-2 after four penalties and sure enough Vine was able to save Halifax’s third effort with his outstretched leg to the delight of the watching Alcuin team. Halifax had to hope for a miss from Alcuin but they saw three precise shots fly in, the last by Sean Hodgkinson into the bottom left, sending Alcuin into raptures and into the final on Sunday versus Derwent 1sts and leaving an unlucky Halifax with no teams progressing.