Spirits were understandably high in the University of Baths men’s football club this week, with the biggest game of the season part I, as the men’s 3rd team were scheduled to take on the men’s 4th team in their first league encounter of the season. Everyone in the club was at fever pitch as last season saw the 4th team win the league with a game to spare and gain promotion and the right to play against the likes of UOB men’s 3rd team.
The game started with 4th team kicking off, it took the 3rds a little while to get into the game and it was around the 5th minute that they got a free kick midway inside their own half, nothing came of it and the ball was cleared up field only for the 4th team to concede another free kick 20 yards inside their own half, the free kick taken by #2 was wasted as he tried to pick a pass along the half way line only to evade everyone and bounce out for a throw in to the 4ths. The 3rds had the first shot of the game as the ball was cut inside on the edge of the 4ths box only for the shot to sail harmlessly over and wide.
The 4th finally got some luck with the ball as their main player in the first half #17 was given the ball all to easily by the 3rd team goalkeeper James Wilder who seemed to kick half the turf further up the field than the ball, his hurried effort left a lot to be desired as it flew over for a goal kick. Not disheartened by this #17 went back and out muscled the centre back only to see his speculative effort from just inside the angle of the 18 yard box hit the top of the crossbar having beaten goalkeeper James Wilder. This gave the 4th team confidence as they continued to build on the chance just gone, as their #5 played a cutting ball through the centre of the 3rd teams defence only for the #17’s cross to be easily pick off with no one attacking in the box.
Up to this point in the game, clear cut chances were fairly few and far between, the lads were hitting some particularly strong tackles, so much so you wouldn’t believe they are all in the same club and mates off the field. As the half went on the 3rd team gave away a silly free kick after Simon Murgatroyd was caught in possession he brought down the #14, only for the free kick to be headed clear by the player on the end of the wall. James Wilder’s miseries looked set to continue as he spilled what would normally be a routine cross into the path of the on rushing centre forward on to get up and make a phenomenal recovering save to deny him a goal, unfortunately for Wilder and the 3rds the 4ths didn’t have to wait long as Lewis Tanner popped up unmarked to head home from the resulting corner making it 0-1.
Not long after #17 found himself in a glorious position only to fluff his shot and put it over from 10 yards. The 3rd team finally responded to the constant bombardment from the 4th’s but creating their first ‘real’ opportunity fashioned by the 3rds #17 only for the 4ths #5 to make a fantastic block. There seemed to be a trend setting as after this block the 3rd scored as the ball was floated over from the corner and after a bit of defensive pinball saw the ball fall into the path of the #17 to stab home from all of 3 yards. Disappointed but not deflated the 4ths picked themselves up as Lewis Tanner made a brave defensive header after a direct ball was played up field. The 4ths got back on the attack and within 5 minutes of conceding they went 1-2 up with an outrageously worldy lob from the #10 after cutting in from the left wing he curled the ball superbly over the flat footed Wilder to score probably the goal of the game. As the half drew to a close though the 3rd’s got themselves another corner again #17 popped up completely free at the back post to nod home his and the 3rds second equaliser of the game. The half finally closed with a contentious decision not to give handball against the 3rds Simon Murgatroyd which the referee later said he probably should have given it. The Half ended at 2 a piece, a harsh score line on the 4th who had worked tirelessly and deserved a lot more.
The second half started nothing like the first as the 4th team seemed completely flat from the amount of work they put in throughout the first. The 3rds got a corner almost immediately after they came out for the second half only for the striker got completely underneath it and head it up and out for a goal kick. The 4ths continued to struggle but were fortunate that the 3rds seemed to be in a particularly wasteful mood as they tried in vain with the #2 scuffing a shot from 30 yards well wide of the near post and again as the 4ths didn’t clear a half volley floated well wide of the target. When the 4ths finally got on the ball properly they had a spell of really good play, especially between Matt Mardell and Jordan Guttridge after the latter took a great touch from a driven clearance and a delicate flick into Mardell who’s touch was equally impressive only to find nobody waiting in the box to get on the end of his cross.
The 4ths #2 was having a torrid time as he got the ball nicked off his toes inside his own half and turned inside out but with respect he recovered well to marshal the ball and forward out for a corner, the first corner was cleared out for another only for that 1 to be cleared to the edge of the box where Joel Scrafton (3rds captain) was waiting to nail the ball off the underside of the crossbar, from my position it was hard to see whether it had crossed the line or not but to put it beyond doubt #10 followed up to poke it in, I’ll leave it to them to decide who scored it.
From this point on the game lost most of its flare, challenges died down and the early attitude and big game enthusiasm disappeared. With the 4ths feeling a bit hard done by, the 3rds had another attack only for the 4ths keeper Harry Carmen to pull off the save of the game one on one with Jac Humphreys. The game drew to a close as the sun was setting over Sulis Club with the 4ths having a string of corners the final of which had a well connected volley on the edge of the box saved and held by Wilder.
As was somewhat expected the 4th team petered out in the second half with a late resurgence towards the end, 3-2 as a score line reflected the game fairly well but it really could have gone either way. The 4th team were valiant in their efforts but were eventually put down by the 3rds whose superior fitness levels showed. The 3rds continue on their road to win the league, whilst the 4ths look good enough to beat any other team.
Quotes:
Chairman of Football Jordan Kenny “After a dramatic game, although the 3’s won football was the overall winner.”
3rd team coach Pat Gavaghan “Game fought by two very even sides, very pleased to get the win. Not to say it wasn’t a struggle.”
4th team coach Matt Walley “Extremely, extremely proud, 3’s deserved it, great advert for football at the University of Bath.”
Edward Attwood, SU Sports Reporter