Cambridge University 1-1 Oxford University (Oxford win 6-5 on penalties)

Football matches are often decided by the finest of margins, and this year’s Varsity fixture between Oxford and Cambridge proved no different. An encounter between two sides fuelled by adrenaline, desire, determination and intensity, it was always going to be difficult to separate them – and so it proved.

Oxford came to the Abbey seeking to overturn a run of three consecutive defeats, losing last year’s battle on penalties at Craven Cottage after a 0-0 draw. This year, they would get their revenge in near-identical circumstances.

Cambridge, despite it being Oxford’s turn as the equivalent ‘home’ side for the fixture, had the fortune of being able to play in front of a home crowd. And an impressive crowd it was, with over 1,350 revellers packing out the Main Stand to get behind not only the Light Blues, but those in dark jerseys too, with a large number of Oxford students making the trip.

As fortunate as Cambridge were to have a home crowd however, it is no substitute for experience. This season has been a transitional one for the Blues. Having lost ten players compared to last year, they’ve found it difficult to adapt to life in the top division of BUCS football. Against an Oxford team boasting eight returning blues, experience was certainly not on Cambridge’s side.

The game itself was not one that will be remembered as an exciting spectacle. Indeed, it was not a game for the purists; it was one fought on the margins, the corners, through the individual battles which were made all the more interesting by the two contrasting set-ups by each side – Oxford notably starting with a back three as part of a 3-5-2 system, while Cambridge opted for a more conventional 4-2-3-1.

It was a game that required discipline and leadership. Both were in abundance, the latter especially. James May and Ezra Rubenstein, respective captains of both sides, were impeccable, not only in the way they influenced the game, but also through the manner in which they led their sides. Both stood up and were counted, epitomised in that they both took the first penalties during the shootout. The winner of the captain’s duel would claim man of the match, and ultimately with an Oxford win, the excellent Rubenstein prevailed.

The game itself started as you would expect – nervously. A lot of endeavour, a lot of determination, but it would take a good twenty minutes before either side truly began to play their football. After five minutes nonetheless, Oxford could have found themselves ahead when a cross from Gomarshall on the right hand side was crashed onto the bar by a Cambridge head. A lucky, narrow, escape.

Oxford’s threat would certainly come from deliveries into the centre. Targeting their two robust forwards – Matthew Smith and the particularly impressive Peder Beck-Friis –whenever possible, they were effective from both set-pieces and crosses from the flanks.

Oxford took control early on. Set-pieces caused difficulties for the Cambridge back four, with scrappy and looped clearances commonplace. But they managed to deal with them, for the time being. Matthew Smith had a pop shot from 15 yards that went straight down the throat of a relatively untroubled Warne in the only real effort on goal during the opening period of the first half.

Cambridge had been hampered by sloppy passing, but by the half hour they looked a credible threat on the Oxford goal, breaking swiftly when the chance arose. Dan Forde managed to slide a ball through to a mainly isolated Alex Gaskell, who was tenacious in hassling Oxford centre-half Michael Moneke, but it came to nothing.

But five minutes later the Light Blues would have the lead. Another break, this time triggered by James May stealing the ball back in midfield and quickly slipping Dan Forde in from the left hand side. He bore down on goal; the crowd rose, the net rustled.  An exquisite, composed finish from the Varsity veteran, knocking the ball over the on-rushing Szreter with the outside of the boot, sending the ball into the far corner of the net. Cambridge, against the run of play, were ahead.

Cambridge’s counter-attacking threat continued soon after, as another foray forward from May resulted in a Boris Grubic drive from the edge of the area that flew harmlessly over the bar.

But just as Cambridge hinted at taking control of the game, Oxford reasserted themselves and resumed their earlier pressure. Again, it was their deliveries into the centre that were causing the most trouble. Beck-Friis and Smith were proving a real handful for Cambridge's centre-half pairing of Hilton and Wolstenhulme, and Beck-Friis was denied an equaliser by Jack Congdon’s goal-line clearance following another testing delivery from Rubenstein.

At the interval, Cambridge had the lead, and it appeared their game plan was working. Absorbing the pressure, and effective having broken through, Cambridge's success left Oxford perhaps feeling hard done-by.

The second half continued where the first period left off. Oxford were still looking to utilise the strength and aerial ability of Beck-Friis and Smith, with the former putting a header over the bar straight after the restart. This came after some good work on the right hand side, although moments later the ball was fired, from range, high and wide of an untroubled Warne. But it was a sign of intent.

Cambridge had the best chance of the opening exchanges, however. A loose touch from Oxford defender Tom Hobkinson allowed Forde to make the block, sending Alex Gaskell in on goal. But from the angle, the St John’s forward fired across the face of goal, sending it wide. Not an easy chance, but in a game of very few, it certainly was a big one.

Oxford continued their search for an equaliser. Beck-Friis again proved to be a thorn in Cambridge's side, and he wasted a good opportunity to test Henry Warne on 57 minutes when he dragged an effort wide from 15 yards after an excellent flick on from strike partner Smith.

The Dark Blues’ greatest threat looked to be from set-pieces. Rubenstein, doing his best to lose the marking of Cambridge’s deep-lying midfielder Tom Hickey, continued to send in tricky deliveries from set-pieces needlessly given away. Cambridge resolutely held out for half an hour, but increasingly, it looked like something had to give.

And it did. Oxford’s equaliser on 75 minutes unsurprisingly came from a Rubenstein free-kick. The attacking midfielder’s delivery was an excellent one, whipped in with pace and precision, needing any kind of a touch from an Oxford forward for a chance at goal. Unfortunately for Nick Hilton, that touch came from him.

Oxford were deservedly level and they threatened to move into the ascendancy. They resumed their pressure, the best chance falling to Rubenstein, who could only send an effort wide of the far post following good work from the impressive Beck-Friis.

However, it was by no means one-way traffic in the late stages. Cambridge too posed a threat. Premier League referee Neil Swarbrick rejected Gaskell's claims for a penalty following contact to the head. In stoppage time, Dan Forde was gifted a free kick from twenty-five yards, but he couldn’t get his effort on target. In the dying moments, Cambridge resolutely defended another Oxford corner. There was to be no winner in regulation time – penalties were required.

Someone always has to miss. After two well-taken penalties from both sides, Dan Forde was the first to misfire, sending his effort skyward. However, Henry Warne was able to make amends with a good save to deny a weak penalty from Michael Moneke. The strike rate from the spot was good enough to take the shoot-out to sudden death, and after seven penalties, the tie was decided when Preye Crooks’s penalty was saved by Ben Szreter.

Shoot-outs are truly a lottery, but on reflection, it would not be unfair to suggest that Oxford in the end were deserved winners. For a side of such inexperience, following such a tough season, Cambridge do, however, deserve a lot of credit. They effectively repelled much of what Oxford had to throw at them, remained solid at the back and extremely well-disciplined, with few mistakes besides the occasional stray pass.

Defeat will hurt, especially considering Cambridge’s recent footballing dominance over the Other Place. But all things must come to an end. For Oxford, it’s a victory to savour. For the Light Blues, it’s an experience they will learn from; one that, like their season as a whole, will serve as a painful reminder of tougher times, something that can only stand them in good stead.

With thanks to Cam FM and Beth Price for match images. 

 

Falcons and Kestrels

On Friday 6th March, the Cambridge Falcons and Kestrels took on Oxford’s Centaurs and Colts in their Varsity fixtures at Iffley Road and Christchurch Sports Ground respectively in Oxford

The Kestrels, Cambridge's makeshift third-string side, were brought together just two weeks in advance of the fixture. After two training sessions, they would face their Oxford equivalents, who train all year round as a collective side, and take part in BUCS competitions.

Despite a few last minute checks to make sure everyone knew each other’s names in the dressing rooms prior to kick off, the Kestrels embarrassed their more well-accustomed opponents by beating them 2-0. Goals from Salama from the spot and from Ashmead ensured the Kestrels would retain their Varsity trophy.

The Falcons, Cambridge's second-string side, took on the Oxford Centaurs in front of a good crowd at Iffley Road in Oxford. The Falcons, like the Cambridge firsts, had not lost this fixture in three years, and were confident off the back of earning promotion from their BUCS division this season.

But they came up against a strong Oxford outfit. Quick, strong and effective going forward, they proved very difficult opponents for the Falcons who were prevented from finding their rhythm. Led by the hugely impressive centre-forward Ed Mole who made three assists, the Oxford Centaurs finished as winners with a score of 3-0.