Fitzwilliam I got their Cambridge University Association Football League (CUAFL) Premier League season off to a fine start on Friday afternoon with a 3–1 away win over an industrious Selwyn I side lacking bite up front.

In what was both a battle between the current and a former Varsity sports editor and a rare case of Friday afternoon college football, the 'Hill' side put on a well-crafted display, their tactics allowing those players who might have otherwise been pulling on the Cambridge University Association Football Club (CUAFC) jersey the freedom to show their quality. Selwyn, meanwhile, put in an impressive defensive shift for the most part and will rue missed chances up front and a couple of costly defensive lapses. 

Indeed, for the opening 43 minutes, the match was an even affair, epitomised by an intriguing and whole-hearted battle for control of the midfield battle. Fitzwilliam's Peter Rutzler floated between the home side's midfield and defensive line and caused problems, while Selwyn's James Massey looked to have the beating of his full back. Both teams tested the opposition goalkeepers: Rufus Saunders tested Keir Baker in the Selwyn goal with a stinging drive from 20 yards, while smart stops from Kaesi Opara kept Tom Higgins-Toon and Charlie Stone from giving the home side the lead. 

With half-time beckoning, it looked like the opening 45 minutes would end in a stalemate. But Fitzwilliam landed a demoralising blow a minute from the whistle: a corner was half-cleared by the home side's defence and, as the ball was played back into the box, a wicked deflection granted Fitzwilliam skipper, Tom Dunn-Massey, the freedom of the Selwyn box and a chance to turn the ball home from six yards out, which he did with a clever bit of improvisation.

Selwyn, who had suffered a frustrating (and controversial) 1–0 loss to Downing I in their opening game last week, were hit hard by this hammer blow. Indeed, just minutes into the second half, Fitzwilliam pressed home their advantage: a long-ball over the top was poorly dealt with by the Selwyn back four, giving Rutzler the chance to lob the ball over a stranded Baker and double the away side's lead.

CUAFL Premier League set for dramatic opening weekend

And, with Selwyn's influential captain, Joe Hudson, temporarily confined to the sidelines with a nasty-looking knee injury, Fitzwilliam laid siege to the Selwyn goal. Rutzler, Saunders, and Alexei Spyrou all saw fierce shots either just about kept out by Baker or fly narrowly wide of the target. Yet all that pressure was to eventually pay off on the 55-minute mark: a teasing cross from the left-hand side was poorly dealt with by Baker, leaving Joe Gregory with an unmissable opportunity to stab the ball home. 

But Selwyn rallied. The introduction of veteran Dave Hawes from the bench to lead the Selwyn line added the spark to the home side's attack that had been lost when Sam Makin had been forced off in the first half by an injury. Suddenly it was Fitzwilliam under the cosh, with the pace of wingers Stone and Massey causing particular problems. 

Indeed, it was through that avenue that Selwyn grabbed what was to ultimately be a mere consolation. A cross from the right wing was not dealt with by the Fitzwilliam defence and, despite a superb reaction save from Opara, former Selwyn captain Alex Thompson was there to stroke in the rebound. 

Fitzwilliam started to look tense, as Selwyn – buoyed by their goal – started to knock on the door. However, Baker in the home side's net was still called upon to make a terrific save from a Dan Sandbach freekick to keep his side in it. And though Selwyn threw bodies forward, the away side saw the game out to claim a valuable three points and an excellent confidence boost for their campaign.

Indeed, the importance of opening the season with a positive result was emphasised by Fitzwilliam captain and goalscorer Tom Dunn-Massey, who gave Varsity his thoughts after the match: "It took us a while to get a hold on the game. The first half was a tense affair with very few chances, so getting the goal before half-time gave us a huge boost. I was more pleased with our second half effort and the team is delighted to get off to a winning start."

Selwyn, meanwhile, will be hoping that next weekend's Cuppers game against St John's I will provide a winning platform from which they can kick-start their season: despite having only played two games, it is clear that they need more quality in the final third to avoid getting sucked into a relegation battle. 

Selwyn I: Baker, Diana, Robertson, Hudson (c), Roweth, Lemos Portela, Brocklesby, Thompson, Stone, Massey, Makin

Substitutes: Higgins-Toon, Hawes, Parkins

Fitzwilliam I: Opara, Little, Donnelly, Dunn-Massey (c), Hill, Gregory, Sandbach, Spyrou, Tice, Rutzler, Saunders

Substitutes: Bell, Salmon, Shires

Varsity is looking to expand its coverage of college sport this year. If you would like to either contribute or provide information for a match report, or some other news about your sport, please email sport@varsity.co.uk