Hertford 0-3 Wolfson

On a dull and overcast Saturday morning, the mighty Yellow and Reds of Wolfson-St. Cross made the short trip to Hertford College Sports Ground to take on the purple-clad Hertford College. In turning up, in Kevin Keegan’s famous words, Wolfson-St Cross “had three options; either they could win or they could lose”. Furthermore, in his pre-match analysis, Keegan had been heard to say “You can't do better than go away from home and get a draw,” yet in what turned out to be a pulsating, end-to-end, rip-roarer of a match, Wolfson-St Cross went one better and emerged as worthy winners by three goals to nil.

Keen to put their League and Cuppers seasons behind them, Wolfson-St Cross were nonetheless hoping that the form book would not go out of the window in this feisty encounter. In what was certainly a game of two halves the stronger team on paper, Wolfson-St Cross, took the ball by the horns and ran out victors.

Many have commented how Wolfson-St Cross were, of course, too good to go down last season, and additionally they were looking to display their bouncebackability following the disappointing Cuppers exit only days before. On a true jumpers-for-goalposts occasion (although there was netting on the goalposts), each team had to provide a referee for a half of this match.

Captain Saunders, once described by Ron Atkinson as “the rock that the team has grown from”, whom should you cut in half would bleed red and yellow, selected his strongest team, and sent them out to pit their wits against Hertford, in a game which could have been described as a six-pointer, but in reality it was a friendly and so points were not at stake.

David McCabe, Wolfson-St Cross’s defensive stalwart, boldly led the defensive line, with Chris Morris, that great servant to the Yellow and Red cause over the years, Thomas “the Bee” Bee, defensive workhorse and ever-present aerial threat, and Nick Ferriera, who always gives it 110%, joining him at the back. Behind this strong rearguard was Jonathan the keeper, his towering presence between the sticks and his ability to cope with everything thrown (and even kicked) at him, especially these modern footballs that move around a lot, has never failed to embolden the mighty Gold and Salmon Pinks. Jonathan also shows a great deal of experience, which is perhaps unsurprising, because as Kevin Keegan once remarked “goalkeepers aren’t born today until they are in their late twenties or thirties”.

In the centre of the park the elite footballing machines that are Christophe, Mustafa, Ed Mezzeti and Aban took position, ready to do battle and give their all, 110%, in the name of Wolfson-St Cross. These mighty four are known for their cool footballing heads, and their ability to make the football do the talking. Mezzetti is particularly renowned for his ability to find that vital, defensive-splitting cross in all situations. Mustafa, making his debut for the Red and Yellows, was keen to impress, and in the early stages was stroking the ball around the park with exquisite skill, and showing many a Purple defender a clean set of heels. Christophe’s silky skills on the ball, and imposing physical presence left the Hertford players visibly trembling in their boots; as all connected with Wolfson know, Christophe has great touch for a big man. Last but not least, Wolfson-St Cross were clearly benefitted by the presence of Aban, a true footballer’s footballer if ever there was one.

Up front, Rhodri Saunders and David Howells led the line. There wasn’t a blade of grass that these two dynamic and athletic footballing maestros did not cover in pursuit of glory for the Salmon Pink and Gold of Wolfson-St Cross. Both are honest and hard-working players and neither of them makes mistakes on purpose.

With a swirling wind, the early exchanges produced little. With neither side in the ascendancy, action was end-to-end, nip and tuck, and any lapse in concentration seemed likely to be costly. Both sides had set their stalls out, and had Wolfson-St Cross expected to cruise to victory, this match was proving once again that in football, there are no easy games. Nonetheless, Wolfson appeared to be winning many of those priceless second balls, and one felt that if they could get the ball down and play, they could take their opponents to the cleaners.

Early doors, a Wolfson corner from set-piece specialist Christophe found Saunders lurking on the edge of the penalty area. His shot rifled through the nearby defenders before taking a deflection. In the resulting defensive melee, and with the Hertford defence at sixes and sevens, Wolfson debutant Mustafa turned on a sixpence piece and hammered home the first goal of the morning with a cool, crisp finish. The deadlock was broken, and if ever there was a good time to score, this was it. The travelling supporters went wild.

At this stage, Hertford could have had few complaints about the scoreline, and furthermore their penalty claims were dismissed by the unscrupulous referee after a robust challenge from Chris “the chopper” Morris. That decision though, for Big Kev, “was almost certainly definitely wrong”. Nonetheless, Wolfson-St Cross survived this wake-up call with their lead intact. One of the few other causes for the blowing of the referee’s whistle during the first half was for a scything challenge from Ed “the razor” Mezzetti, a mistimed intervention which bore all the hallmarks of a classic striker’s challenge.

Hertford did respond well to this setback however, and penned Wolfson-St Cross back on numerous occasions, yet some dogged, full-blooded defensive challenges came to Wolfson-St Cross’s rescue on a number of occasions. On one particular occasion a heroic goal-line clearance came to Wolfson’s rescue; without that save, and with the rest of the Wolfson-St Cross defence all at sea, it would have almost certainly been a goal for Hertford. Each and every man in the Gold and Red shirts was playing with his heart on his sleeve, and it showed.

But Wolfson-St Cross stuck to their game plan, and arguably looked like they had a couple more gears left in the locker. With the seconds to go before the half-time break, Dave Howells missed a golden opportunity to double Wolfson St Cross’s lead. Having done all the hard work, he blazed high and wide with only the goalkeeper to beat. Ron Atkinson, when asked to comment on this moment in the game summed it up by saying: “He sliced the ball when he had it on a plate”. As the ball returned to earth from the stratosphere, the Hertford defenders were seen to be wiping snow from the ball as they recovered it and restarted the game with a goal kick. The ashen-faced striker promptly left the field, and in shame beat a hasty retreat to Heathrow airport, where he was rumoured to have paid cash for the first available flight to Seattle.

Nonetheless, unaffected by this turmoil, the referee blew the whistle for half-time, and Wolfson-St Cross enjoyed their feast of oranges and jaffa cakes, looking to recharge their batteries for what they anticipated would be a fiery response from the home side, a goal behind at the break. Changes were made at half time, with the enforced absence of Howells, and the availability of fresh legs in Ali and Jimmy. After a lengthly lay-off following surgery, Reade was making his much anticipated return to action for the Red and Yellows, and sure enough, within ten minutes of action, he was seen to be wheezing and reaching for the oxygen.

The anticipated second-half response from Hertford was met and rebutted by a sterling rearguard action; Wolfson-St Cross were making the bread and butter challenges that are a mainstay and a necessity of football at this high level, and while Hertford huffed and puffed, there was little sign of a breakthrough. The bobbly pitch meant that there was little hope that balls through might pick up pace off the surface, and with the defence and midfield working their socks off, Wolfson weathered the storm.

However, it was fair to say that if the Purples of Hertford were going to have a purple patch, this was it, but they were unable to turn their possession into goals. It might be a little harsh, but perhaps fair, to say that had they played on for the rest of the weekend, they wouldn’t have scored. As such, it came down to one incisive attacking move by the mighty Gold and Salmon Pinks to settle this scrappy affair. Chris Morris sent over a dangerous looking ball, and although it appeared that the Purple goalkeeper had dealt with the threat, Mustafa hustled the goalkeeper, who promptly spilled the ball at the feet of the erstwhile Wolfson-St Cross frontman. Mustafa retained his composure to slot the ball home, making no mistake and doubling the visiting side’s advantage.

Following their second goal, Wolfson-St Cross seemed home and dry, and Hertford didn’t seem to pose quite so much of a threat after this. Proving the old adage that “football's always easier when you've got the ball”, it was not long before Wolfson-St Cross notched a third goal. Another finely floated corner this time was met with a rasping volley by the Bee, and the Wolfson utility man, which looked dangerous as it was both rising and dipping at the same time. The Bee’s shot had the keeper beaten all ends up, and Wolfson had surely moved into an unassailable lead with their third goal, much to the delight of all connected with Wolfson-St Cross.

It was a shame that one team had to lose such a keenly fought contest, but the Wolfson-St Cross players had little time for mourning the misfortunes of their Hertford compatriots. It’s fair to say, again quoting that great source of wisdom that is Kevin Keegan, “there’ll be no siestas in Hertford tonight”.