Oxford University Association Football Club

Worcester to meet Teddy Hall in Cuppers Final

The 2008 Slaughter and May Cuppers Finalists were decided in a thrilliing Friday afternoon of football in the Parks. The Worcester 'juggernaught' overpowered a valiant St Catz side by five goals to nil, before heading over to watch the real drama unfold as Teddy Hall, having come from behind twice against LMH, eventually triumphed on penalties for the third time this season.

The Worcester vs St Catz match had been billed as 'David vs Goliath', but two moments of class from Blues striker Niko de Walden had effectivley guaranteed the victory for the Premier Division giants within the first twenty minutes.

St Catz battled to preserve the deficit at just two, as Tom Monteath saved a Timothy Squires penalty, but were undone on the stroke of half time when Kunal Desai took advantage of the strong wind that had helped pin St Catz back all half as he whipped a corner directly into the net.

Though St Catz acquitted themselves admirably thereafter, Ryan Taylor striking a post from range, they were unable to breach the seemingly impenetrable defence of Worcester's cuppers side.

Two second half goals from Tim Grady and Danny Plaxton added further gloss to the scoreline, but a young Catz side will be all the better for the experience of competing at such a level as they seek to build for next season in the Premier Division.

The game of the day, however, was occurring on the Centaurs pitch where Teddy Hall and LMH locked horns in a compelling cup tie. The commitment of the fans who braved the bitterly cold conditions was matched by the players for the full 120 minutes.

LMH largely played the better football as wing wizards Jim Allchin and Ryan McCrickerd danced around defneders for fun, while the imperious Tom Wherry dominated the midfield aerially and on the ground.

However, despite twice taking the lead, LMH will rue their profligacy in the final third as misplaced passes and miss-hit shots kept the game in the balance. This is never a wise against the Hall, who seemingly do not know how to lose.

Though they benefited from a generous (some-would say old-fashioned) decision in the lead up to their equaliser as leaping keeper Joe di Capite was unceremoniously clobbered by Wilfred Frost, no-one can doubt the resilience and spirit that John Waldron has instilled into his Teddy Hall side. Nor can they doubt their bottle. For the third time in their four Cuppers matches the match went beyond the full 120 minutes and had to be decided from the penalty spot. For the third time in a row they came out on top.

If anyone can stop Worcester this season it will have to be Teddy Hall, though their shoot-out record may enable them to kick-off the final feeling that they have a goal head-start. It promises to be a special day down at Iffley in 8th week...