Worcester whack Wadham to win Cuppers!

It was with great confidence that Worcester approached their third consecutive Cuppers final, at stake was the oldest football trophy still being played for on UK soil.

This year’s contenders were a motivated Wadham side, who had overcome Lincoln in the semis. Worcester came into the game as clear favourites, having confidently dispatched a strong New College side 2-0 in the previous round.

Fans from both colleges flocked to Iffley as the teams lined up under the floodlights. Cuppers fever had really hit and the Worcester fans bringing hymn sheets for their chants, directed by their loyal mascot: the Duck. The first few minutes saw both teams trying to settle, Worcester slowly gaining the upper hand as they dominated possession through the composed passing of the experienced duo  Luke Devereux and Tom Phelan.

Phelan good, former Worcester skipper with the trophy.

Wadham were dangerous on the counter-attack throughout, however Worcester keeper Titchen was on top form. Worcester had the games first chance in the form of a long range volley from skipper Caio which ended up just wide.

It was from a throw-in that the goal finally arrived to bring joy to the Worcester faithful. An effective flick from Austin put Phelan through on goal for an easy tap-in at the near post.

Wadham looked dangerous from set pieces and had their best chance of the game from a free-kick. Wright was put through on goal after a series of pinball rebounds and scored only for the goal to be disallowed by an outstanding Tom Haddrell running the line. The young linesman confirmed his talent with another faultless performance just like his debut lining the Blues-Brookes game earlier in the term.

In the second half Worcester picked up their rhythm and looked consistently more dangerous. Phelan headed wide at the back post after a dangerous cross from Caio. Spaces opened up down the right-hand flank for fresher Nick Murray to put some good balls in the middle, with the forward play often passing through the skilled feet of dangerman Austin.

Worcester’s second goal came from a corner, Healy showing great anticipation and awareness to emphatically strike the ball in the back of the net. This goal proved a fitting send off for a man who has excelled at both college and Blues level in his 7 years at Oxford.

Austin-credible, midfielder bagged a wonder goal.

Worcester saved their best til last, Austin wrapping up the game with ten minutes to go. With his back to goal and under tight pressure from Wadham captain Vivian, Austin controlled a long ball from full-back Potter first on his chest, then his knee and connecting beautifully with the dropping ball, smashed it in the top right corner past a helpless Srezter. The goal marked a fitting end to Austin’s Worcester footballing career.

This sealed a third consecutive Cuppers victory for Worcester. Only time will tell if their domination can continue next year.