Blues Blitz Brookes in Varsity Showdown

The football Blues comprehensively beat Brookes 5-2 in front of a packed Iffley in a match bursting with goals, raucous chants and rude fans.  

The Blues’ won in style to extend their lead at the top of the league table, but the show was almost stolen by a combination of Brookes’ noisy support and one particularly naughty streaker.

The Blues were all over Brookes from the off as Ed Grimer charged through on goal, rounded the keeper and fired home to give our boys the lead.

And the Blues extended their lead when Mark Jamison met a fine Alex Biggs’ corner on the edge of the box with a terrific volley.

Towering striker Peder Beck-Friis poured more misery on Brookes as he capitalised on a total balls-up between the Brookes’ defence and goalkeeper, the Swedish superstar diving in bravely to knock the ball into the net for 3-0.

The Blues’ would soon be in a four goal lead thanks to a special moment from Xchanging man of the match Julian Austin.  The Worcester wonder picked the ball up 30 yards out before beating two men and sliding the ball into the bottom corner.

At this point a chant of ‘This is embarrassing!’ broke out amongst the home fans, but in all honesty the travelling Brookes contingent outsang and outwitted Oxford’s supporters on the night. The noisy neighbours in particular gained appreciative laughs with their chant of ‘you pay our benefits!’

Brookes though had little to sing about on the pitch in a first half where they were lucky to concede only 4.

The away side, decked out in garish lime green and grey and white hoops, would snatch a goal just before half-time from a set-piece that represented their first legitimate chance, making the score 4-1 at the break.

The second half sparked into life thanks to a controversial refereeing decision. A nothing challenge in the box led to Brookes being awarded a penalty which was calmly slotted.  Brookes seemingly had a way back into the game.

The Referee continued to make himself unpopular with the home fans as he chalked off a goal from Biggs whose swerving cross had found the back of the net, only for an offside decision to be given.

 Buoyed by the Ref’s support Brookes pushed on and created a number of chances, but the fight back would be thwarted when sub Adam Healy rose like a salmon from a corner to nod the Blues into a 5-2 lead.

The drama wasn’t over though as a streaker sprinted onto the pitch, the ref only being alerted to his presence by the frantic flag waving of the 12 year old linesman. The eager exhibitionist eluded a number of stewards before disappearing into the night, presumably to avoid an indecent exposure charge.

This was the last hurrah of a thrilling match which saw the Blues secure a deserved victory and send the Brookes fans home bitterly disappointed.

No wonder- not only did they lose the game, they had to go back to Brookes afterwards.