Cup of joy for UAL football

by John Silk

The University of Arts London football second string managed to dump Thames Valley University out of the cup as they romped to a 4-2 victory.

UAL rarely looked in danger. They took a third minute lead, thanks to man of the match Isa Bangura, after good work down the right from captain Matt Davies. The skipper manged to pull the ball back from the byline to leave Bangura with the simplest of tap-ins. Opposition goalkeeper, James Hann, was left exposed by his defence which seemed to be caught cold by the UAL's lightning start.

UAL remained the stronger team for the opening period of the game with Bangura pulling the strings from midfield. They were finding particular joy down the right-hand side, where the Valley's left-back, was struggling to cope with the pace and skill offered by Davies.

Fight-back

However, just as UAL were beginning to probe for a second goal they were hit with a sucker punch. A high, lofted ball forward, from Valley striker Junior Olatunde, caught out centre-back Alfie Fowler who failed to deal with it, letting in Nathaniel C-Brown to equalise for Thames Valley.

But within minutes the UAL were back in front. Again Bangura was instrumental, this time with a pin-point through ball that was capitalised on by the home side's number eleven.

The game then deteriorated somewhat as both sides struggled with the blustery conditions, particularly from set-pieces where a number of crosses went awry.

Decisive

As the game edged towards half-time, the UAL scored a decisive goal. Bangura's corner left Tom Anholt with the task of nodding home making the score 3-1.

The goal came at a crucial time for the home team and Valley never really recovered despite a brief reposte at the beginning of the second half when Olatunde pulled a goal back from the spot.

Olatunde was up-ended for the second time in as many minutes by Fowler but this time the referee adjudged the offence to have taken place just outside the box, in spite of the away team's protesting.

The resulting free-kick was wasted and UAL raced up the other end to score. Capitalising on a miss-placed throw from Valley's full-back Arthur Wiseberg, Harry Mills coolly lobbed Hann. Game over.

Valley's Olatunde then came off with cramp and with it any chance of a comeback, despite coach Troy French's efforts from the touch-line.

Even a late red card for the much maligned Fowler for a second bookable offence could not sour the UAL's day as they look forward to the draw for the last sixteen.

The last word of the day must go to the victorious captain, Matt Davies: "That's the best we've played this season. It was a solid performance throughout the team and it feels good to be in the hat for the next round."