University of Liverpool 2nd XI 4-2 LJMU 2nd XI
Varsity Game
(12/03/2023)
KO: 12:00
Report by
Fred Stewart
For the
immense day of football’s early kick-off, John Moore’s and the University of
Liverpool’s 2nd XIs faced off and got varsity proceedings off to an
electric start. It was the home side who took home the spoils in a thrilling
affair: a late flurry and Dan Coupes brace insuring the victory, causing
pandemonium amongst the home support, and devastation for the away. Manager Joe
Bone will feel his side – after such a successful season – deserved the victory,
which will act as a crowning moment and main exhibition of the spectacular football
they’ve shown time and time again.
As the game began, one thing
instantly became clear: both teams had come to play, and not just on the ball. The
tense, eerie atmosphere was sent into raucous before five minutes had elapsed,
caused by some grizzly looking challenges from both teams. It served as a
reminder to the baying crowd what a prestigious prize a varsity game victory is,
and caused an verbal explosion from both sets of supporters which would last
the full ninety.
Following
these early flurries, it became apparent that not every player had been ridden
of the infamous pre-match nerves. As John Moore’s gained possession of the ball
on the eleventh minute, they wisely opted to share the ball around their back-four.
However, this possession-based attacking style became their worst enemy within seconds
when the goalkeeper got on the ball. Under very little pressure – and perhaps owing
to the sodden grass surface – the ‘keeper lost his balance on the back-lift of
his attempted distribution, slipping and shanking the ball to the feet of the obliging
Charlie Dumas, who did well to steady himself and calmly finish the gold-wrapped
gift.
With
their noses in-front, the 2’s looked to add to their lead, but John Moore’s chose
to abandon their focus on possession which caused the game to fall into a cagier
feeling. However, the 2’s did show moments of quality in the later stages of
the half. In particular right-back Tom Edgecombe grew into the game nicely, getting
on the ball more frequently and acting as catalyst for many attacking moves. As
well as him, first-half 2’s goalkeeper Josh Swindells stayed alive to the
long-balls of LJMU, on one occasion coming off his line and displaying lighting
fast reflexes to thwart a John Moore’s striker in a one-on-one situation, to
keep his team in front at the break – also helped by the referee, who disallowed
a goal for offside on the stroke of halftime.
As the second
half commenced, John Moore’s soon were diminished to ten-men. This occurred
after a well-executed 2’s press, winning the ball high up and playing some
liquid two-touch football to evade the swarming defenders. However, one
defender became rattled from chasing shadows and flew into a challenge in
extremely late fashion. Following the 2’s outrage and a short melee, the
referee brandished the red card and sent the John Moore’s man off. This allowed
midfield duo Hughie Johns and Ryan Saunders time to dictate play and exhibit
their expansive range of passing.
.JPG)
This gave
way to the last twenty-five minutes of the game: one which the Wyncote Faithful
will not be forgetting in a hurry. This began with a John Moore’s corner, which
was not dealt with, resulting in a cheap goal – giving the game a newfound edge
and attacking impetus. Fifteen minutes later, Captain John’s delivered in a
scything ball which baffled the John Moore’s defence – finding centre-back Dan
Coupes who tapped home with expertise. However, John Moore’s equalised five
minutes from time – setting up a grandstand finish.
The
Wyncote Faithful were shortly rewarded for their support – as the 2’s secured varsity
victory in the dying embers of the game. Coupes – who was clearly hungry to add
to his season tally – scored an almost exact replica of his first two minutes
from time: pouncing on an Ed Cook flick-on to convert at the back post. In the
final moments, Salvador Ziblin came on, and put the game to bed. John Moore’s
desperately searched for their third equalising goal – before the ball was
smashed long to the awaiting Ziblin. What he did next was nothing short of
spectacular: pinning his man, turning him, running half the length of the pitch
and slotting home – before wheeling away to the pitch-invading supporters.
Seconds
later, the game was ended. What a season it has been for the 2’s, claiming the
league title and local bragging rights. Credit must go to Joe Bone at the helm,
who has instilled a team spirit and style of play that has really played to his
players strengths. Congratulations to the 2’s!
Goals:
University
of Liverpool: Dumas 11’, Coupes 80’ 88’, Ziblin 90’
LJMU: 68’,
85’
Player of the Match: Ryan Saunders
Comments
Post a Comment