Sexy football was the order of the day at the third round of
the Cuppers 5-a-side football last Thursday this round was
definitely less One Man and his Dog and more Footballer’s
Wives: physical, passionate, full of talent and with the odd
smattering of sexy soccer. Queen’s B kicked off the day’s play against Exeter A
in a corker of a match. Players fizzed around the pitch like
annoyed wasps, buzzing after the ball (or, more often than not,
after the legs of the opposition). An early Exeter free-kick was
charged down by the omnipresent Sutcliffe who bit into the tackle
and released Pearson to put Queen’s into the lead. Exeter
were being outplayed by a Queen’s side full of verve, and
although the physical Paul Coles was doing his best to keep them
in the game, Queen’s B clinched another victory in what has
been a fine tournament for them. Queen’s A were not as successful against historic rivals
Teddy Hall B. Queen’s, orchestrated by the nimble-footed
Kurosh Nikbin, dominated their ragged opponents who were indebted
to goalkeeper Julian Baker for a series of fine saves. It was no
surprise when Duncan Knox’s precise right-footed drive put
Queen’s 1-0 up in the final minute, but then Queen’s
keeper Graham Tunbridge, star of previous rounds, inadvertently
directed a hopeful flick into his own net. Servants vanquished
masters in the penalty shoot-out as Hall won 2-1. St Catz A beat Univ A in a match of minimal incident. Key
players Chris Tapp (Univ) and Chris Vaulks (St Catz) pulled off
several fine stops before Chris Bargate deservedly won the game
for Catz with a well placed leftfooted shot. Good things come to
those who wait, and those that stayed to see the final match were
in for a treat as Hertford B produced football of such stunning
simplicity and effectiveness to stun Exeter B. One-touch passing
and movement were combined with spatial awareness and confidence
in their teammates as first Scott Johnston and then Marc Rogers
put Hertford in complete control of the game. Only Exeter keeper
Olly Williams kept the score down. If they keep this form up
Hertford might be an outside bet for the final. They continue to
prove that you don’t have to be hard to be sexy.ARCHIVE: 4th week TT 2004
Hertford not ready to Exet
