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Match Report: Newman House vs Blackfriars

4 March 2010

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Newman House and Blackfriars struggled through the mud at Regent’s Park last Saturday in a keenly fought contest which saw the London Student Chaplaincy side come out victors by six goals to four.

The game began in a blaze of goals as the athletic Newman House forwards overran the Dominican defence. Despair was beginning to overwhelm the Godzdogz faithful when an observant spectator spotted that in fact the chaplaincy students had, accidently, been playing with one extra man. Sportingly, Newman House agreed to return the score to 0-0, and immediately set about terrorizing the Blackfriars defenders with renewed vigour, quickly finding themselves 2-0 up once again.

Even the early introduction of Jeffries, returning as a Dominican to his old stamping ground as a student, could not stem the tide and as half-time loomed Newman house were 4-0 up. Blackfriars’ only consolation was a late goal from Bungum, Blackfriars’ top scorer this season, who headed home Gay’s penetrating cross from a set piece to leave the score 4-1 at the break.

At half time, following a meeting between the two captains, it was agreed that Geoffrey swap teams and join the Dominicans (at least for the duration of the game), one of the few occasions when a transfer between two clubs has taken place mid-match. Geoffrey gave Blackfriars a desperately needed attacking outlet and his introduction completely changed the nature of the game. Suddenly the Dominicans began to string passes together and soon had pulled two goals back leaving the score 4-3.

The pitch (described as ‘chewy’ by one Friar who inadvertently swallowed a mouthfull of turf whilst taking a tumble) had by this point begun to resemble the Somme, and both teams were obliged to make use of the long ball as the game became more of a physical battle. Newman House extended their lead to 5-3, but Blackfriars hit back almost immediately, Geoffrey completing his hat-trick, to leave the score 5-4 with full time approaching. In the end Newman House held on to their lead comfortably, even adding a sixth, as the Dominicans tired in the closing minutes.

After the game we headed back to Newman House for the now traditional post match beer and pizza. Thank you to our hosts for their generous hospitality and a good game!