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Amateur Football Combination vs Oxford University 2004 Amateur Football Combination 1 Oxford University 1 - 21st January 2004 at Phoenix Old Boys. Honours even at Phoenix (courtesy of Del Saunders) It would have been an injustice to both teams if this game had ended in defeat. On a very big pitch both sides played some pulsating and attractive football which was thoroughly entertaining for the many spectators in attendance. It was evident in the first 10 minutes that an enthralling game was in prospect. After 6 minutes a free kick was awarded to the University halfway inside the AFC half and a flighted ball from playmaker Osman Okkaya was only half cleared to Mark Addley whose first time volley from 30 yards screamed over the crossbar. Two minutes later a mis-hit clearance from the Oxford keeper fell straight to Henry Turner who again shot first time inches wide. It was not long to wait for the first goal which following a quick throw and cross from the left, caused only a half clearance and Turner was left with an easy chance to put the hosts 1-0 in front. This happened after 17 minutes but three minutes later the sides were level. Probably relaxing slightly from the fortune of an early goal, Oxford were given space to attack down the right and from a cross from the bye-line, Nat Armstrong was on hand to rifle the ball into the top corner from two yards out. The
AFC immediately responded and Turner combined well with Jack Costello who pulled
his shot just wide of the upright. On the half hour mark James Concannon broke
free for the hosts but the University keeper Alex Hill did well to spread
himself and save with his legs.A temporary injury to James Kachel reduced Oxford
to 10 men but before his return it was the visitors who nearly went in front.
The speed of Armstrong opened up the defence but his eventual shot was deflected
straight into the arms of James Holdsworth the AFC keeper. Oxford continually
caused problems down the right hand flank but the AFC back line held firm and
defended the subsequent crosses well. Up front Turner and Concannon started to
cause problems and from one Turner cross, a goalbound header from Lee Harper was
well blocked at the last minute by Kachel. Up the other end Okkaya and Armstrong
also looked dangerous and the AFC defence, had to be on their guard every time
either of them got the ball. With Referee Ian Andrews looking at his watch, Hill
again did well to block another chance which fell to Concannon, the ball having
been deflected into his path following a cross from the right. A 1-1 scoreline
at half time was about right on chances created at both ends. The second period started like the first with both sides causing problems in the opening minutes. Firstly a left wing cross from Okkaya was well defended for a corner and Turner nearly unlocked the University defence, twisting and turning in the opposition box. Albeit there were no further goals excitement continued to the end but it was the AFC who came closest to scoring when after 55 minutes, a corner from Costello was headed against the bar by Brian Hanley. Both sides made substitutional changes to try to break the deadlock and with the introduction of Chris Sonne it was the AFC who took the advantage.A needless back pass for a corner was nearly punished when from the resulting deep corner Sonne headed the ball back into the danger area but Hill was equal to the task although he was fouled at the same time. The
introduction of Sam Aylott and Dan Walpole for the visitors gave them an added
dimension and Aylott started to win balls in mid-field. With twenty minutes to
go Sonne nearly put the AFC in front only to see his shot hit the side netting
but within a minute a sweeping three man move involving Armstrong, Okkaya and
Matt Lowe created an opening but the latter shot just wide.A long throw to the
halfway line from Hill to Armstrong almost caused a break but good defending
kept him at bay. Nick Light for Oxford did well to keep the AFC at bay with some
fine interceptions and his keeper Hill did likewise with a fine save from a
header from Concannon. Two chances fell to Sonne within a minute. With nine
minutes remaining a good turn of speed into the box gave him a left footed
chance but the ball went agonisingly past the right hand post.Seconds later from
the same position, a delicate chip also went just wide of the same post. With
time running out, the last chance went to the AFC. Good pressure from young
Rupert Cope forced a corner but the resulting inswinger was extremely well held
by Hill underneath his bar. Justice was done with a final scoreline of 1-1. Jim
Buttress, Chairman of the Amateur Football Combination, spoke after the match
and thanked the sponsors of the game Rovehurst Construction Ltd whose Managing
Director Clive Finch presented a "Man of the Match" award to Jack
Costello of the AFC. A medal was also presented to the Oxford player of the
game, namely goalkeeper Alex Hill. With
both the Amateur Football Combination and the Southern Amateur League having now
played both Oxford and Cambridge Universities, four times between them with all
games being closely contested an intriguing Varsity match at Upton Park on the
13th March looks very interesting. Officials:
Referee: Ian Andrews: Assistant Referees: Dave Cunningham and Chris Allen. Amateur
Football Combination:- James
Holdsworth (Old Hamptonians), Colin Jones (Albanian), Lewis Delaney and Brian
Hanley (Old Danes), Len Wapshott and Jack Costello (Old Meadonians), Oliver
Monksfield (Hale End Athletic), Henry Turner (Old Meadonians), James Concannon
(Albanian), John O'Brien (Old Ignatians) and Lee Harper (Old Danes). Subs: Chris
Sonne (Old Camdenians), Rupert Cope and Ed Glover (Old Meadonians) and Stewart
Minors (Old Danes). Oxford
University:- Alex Hill, Roger
Milburn, James Kachel, Mark Addley, Thomas Battersby, Con Griffin, Osman Okkaya,
Nat Armstrong, Matt Lowe, Matt Elliott and Nick Light. Subs:- Sam Aylott, Aaron
Barkhouse and Dan Walpole. |
