Oxford University vs Amateur Football Combination 2003

Oxford University 3 Amateur Football Combination 0 - 15th January 2003 at Iffley Road, Oxford.

Amateur Football Combination: James Holdsworth (Old Hamptonians), Andy Voss (UCL Academicals), Lewis Delaney (Old Danes), Dennis Watson (Old Ignatians), Alex Hugh-Jones (Old Meadonians), Steve Surridge (Old Aloysians), Alan O'Driscoll (Old Danes), Mathew Jeilay (Old Hamptonians), Chris Sonne (Old Camdenians), John Jeyes (Old Danes), Francis Birch (Old Aloysians), Brenton Amadee (UCL Academicals), Ben Fox (Old Meadonians), Colin Jones (Old Albanians) and John O'Brien (Old Ignatians).

Oxford University: Pat Walker, Neil Evans, Mike Adamson, Chris Woodcott, Peter Hughes, Mark Addley, Osman Akkaya, Chris Bone, Thierry Richards, Richard Hook and Kevin Costelloe.

Match Report  (courtesy of Del Saunders).

An impressive Oxford University side were too good on the day for the AFC. The visitors were put under extreme pressure from the off and the University gave them no chance to settle down. They could have been two down in the first twenty minutes. Firstly a 25 yard shot from Peter Hughes was well pushed round the post by James Holdsworth and shortly after the defence did well to clear the ball off the line following a corner. A good run by Mathew Jeilay brought some relief but he had very little support to make a goal scoring opportunity. A goal had to come and after 22 minutes a defence splitting pass out to the right found Kevin Costelloe who cut inside and gave the keeper no chance. The University thoroughly deserved their lead but good defending and at times desperate blocking by the AFC rearguard kept the score at a reasonable level. On the half hour mark Brenton Amadee was brought on and immediatley made a difference. He almost levelled after 35 minutes when he broke through with a strong run but the Oxford keeper read the situation well and was quick off his line to deny Amadee a goal.

Costelloe continued to cause problems and only a great save from Holdsworth denied him his second. The keeper was going the wrong way but somehow managed to twist and push the ball for a corner. This was after 41 minutes but from the ensuing corner Mike Adamson rose between two defenders to head home from close range and give the hosts a 2-0 lead at half time.

Oxford's confidence grew in the second half and continued to control the game. They were quite happy to shoot from 30 or 40 yards but they were broken out of their lethagy when Francis Birch nearly reduced the arrears with a snap shot. Most of the AFC players had not played since before Christmas and the absence of match practice clearly showed. On the hour mark Oxford scored their final goal. Despite a bone shaking tackle by Dennis Watson, Thierry Richards, one of the lively Oxford forwards, rode the tackle well, kept on his feet and slid the ball past the keeper. Despite the efforts of the AFC to gain a consolation goal, it was not to be and a final score line of 3-0 was fully deserved by Oxford.

The game was very well controlled by Ian McCormack, a young referee who could go places.

At the post match hospitality, Alex Hugh-Jones was presented with a man of the match award, the game being sponsored by Visable Changes of South Harrow whose support was much appreciated by the league.