Allen Hall claimed victory against Newman House in the Cardinal Cup during the afternoon of November 30th.
The hard-fought tournament saw plenty of memorable plays for both sides as the Seminarians continued their good form.
With the 1st match underway, Allen Hall’s early attempts were halted when Newman’s forward shot from outside the box and the ball deflected in.
Allen Hall pushed forward forcing a corner only to be caught on the back pedal as Newman’s forward converted a tight-angled near-post finish, 2-0.
Fortune smiled on the University side as their tight defence used the narrow pitch to their advantage and forced unthreatening shots from the seminary side.
With Etheredge brought on to balance the team, the seminarians pulled one back when Ahmed (C) fired one in after a one-two with Dido.
The rest of the game was littered with chances as a more disciplined Allen Hall defended against Newman’s attacks & both goalies produced stunning 1-on-1 saves.
The first match, 2-1 to Newman House.
The 2nd match saw Allen Hall rotations as Newman’s next team took the pitch.
Straight from kick-off, the trio of Ramo, Emmanuele, and Majstorovic tested Newman’s defence with Majstorovic scoring within 3mins. It didn’t take long for Ramo to double the scoring with a fierce shot from the halfway line.
Allen Hall’s high-pressure defence with Josemaria, Mesa, and Ezeani proved too much for Newman with link-up play and strong tackles keeping the ball in the other half of the park.
At the half marker, Mesa picked his man and whipped the ball over to Ramo who abandoned himself to a zero-gravity diving header that sailed perfectly into the back of the net, 3-0.
With Etheredge & Alvares subbed in. Emmanuele shifted to the wing and in a moment of attacking genius received a long ball with his head, beat his man and slotted it home.
Newman pulled one back in the last minutes, 4-1 FT.
The finals saw Allen Hall’s latest offensive formation with King’s command of the staunch defenders Ezeani & Pimblett, Ramo pushing into the middle of the park with Dido & Ahmed wing-backs, & Majstorovic at centre forward.
Despite Allen Hall’s early attempts, a Newman freekick pinballed its way past King from the halfway line. Shaking off the early setback, the seminarians struck back with Ramo equalising the scoreboards.
Ahmed’s (C) tricky footwork opened up space for him to square the ball to Majstorovic to fire Allen Hall into the lead.
Both teams continued forcing saves from the keepers & strong defensive plays kept the teams in a deadlock as fresh legs came on to bolster the two sides.
Allen Hall squandered a great chance when Majstorovic squared it to Ahmed, who laid it off to Dido only for Newman’s men to throw themselves goalward and stop a sure goal.
With 5mins left, Newman’s forward showed great strength to beat his man and level the playing field. 2-2 FT taking the teams to penalties.
Ramo stepped in as penalty keeper & after a series of fierce shots met by fiercer saves, it was Captain Makir Ahmed who scored the winning pen as Allen Hall took home the Cardinal Cup.
Allen Hall Squad (1): King (RSA), Pimblett (UK), Ramo (ESP), Ahmed (UK), Majstorovic (CRO), Dieudonne/’Dido’ (CGO), Alvares (UK). Sub: Etheredge (UK).
Allen Hall Squad (2): King (RSA), Ezeani (NGA), Mesa (COL), Kitonekyamwoyo/’Josemaria’ (UK), Ramo (ESP), Majstorovic (CRO), Emmanuele (ITA). Subs: Alvares (UK), Etheredge (UK).
Allen Hall Squad (3): King (RSA), Pimblett (UK), Ezeani (NGA), Dido (CGO), Ahmed (UK), Ramo (ESP), Majstorovic (CRO). Subs: Mesa (COL), Josemaria (UK), Etheredge (UK).
MOTM: Josue Garcia Ramo – As if displaying a masterclass of offensive & defensive plays wasn’t enough. The Spaniard stepped up as Allen Hall’s keeper for the shoot out & was the key to claiming victory.
Special thanks to Westminster Choir School for making this match possible by allowing use of their pitch!
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Match Content Available at
Allen Hall’s albums | Flickr