By Ben Cupples, GeogSoc FC Captain and third year Geography student
Neither the Football Club 6s nor Bristol’s top intramural side earned the bragging rights after a thrilling exhibition match which resulted in a 3-3 draw.
The stage was set; a friendly had been arranged for Saturday 24 November courtesy of Lucas Wengler, captain of the Football Club 6s and former member of the GeogSoc squad.
There was an air of excitement while warming up for the match in anticipation of playing on a full sized, carpet-like grass pitch at Coombe Dingle - the polar opposite to the muddy, uneven terrain of The Downs. Wengler, who knows both sides well, reckoned it would be a good match, but no one really knew what to expect at kick off.
GeogSoc starting XI: Otis Bath, Sean Howell, Joe Smith, Ben Cupples, Aidan Bradley, Ed Beard, Will Da Silva, Robbie Matthews, Ben Harget, Oli Robins, Jack Davies. Substitutes: Tiernan Drasdo, Tom Grant, Matthew Bowmer, Lewis Blannin, Pete Lovatt
6s starting XI: Henry Edwards, Sid Power, Lucas Wengler, Robbie Hardless, Ali Halpenny, Luke Coleman, Theo Hoefkens, Ciaran Dougherty, Luke Curran, Harry Robinson, Dan Bernbaum. Substitutes: Giuseppe Lombardelli, Tom Hyde, Niall Beirne
The first twenty minutes of the match were played at a very high intensity, with both sides committing to every challenge and knocking the ball about with focus and precision. GeogSoc edged it early on with long spells camping in the opposition half. However, the keeper was rarely tested. The only notable chance so far fell to the 6s, with an unchallenged header from a corner rattling the bar.
Out of nothing, on twenty-five minutes, GeogSoc took the lead courtesy of first year Ben Harget pouncing on a lazy back pass across the box to give the intramural side the lead. The following minutes were played in a more open manner, with the 6s looking threatening on the right wing and launching several balls into the box.
In response, a couple of free kicks and frontman Jack Davies proved to be tricky for the 6s defence. Harget went agonisingly close to doubling his side’s lead, whilst Ed Beard was unlucky not to put the ball in during a goal line scramble. The last few minutes of the first half proved to be a test for the GeogSoc defence, but they remained resolute and unshaken.
The second half began well for the 6s, with GeogSoc penned in to their own half. This pressure was capitalised on at the fifty minute mark, with a good run and finish to match it by Dan Bernbaum levelling the scores.
The 6s began to up the pressure on the GeogSoc defence with a renewed belief, forcing Otis Bath to make a terrific one on one save. However, a goal for the Football Club side soon followed. It wasn’t a pretty goal from Robbie Hardless, but he showed good desire to get the ball across over the line and give his side the lead for the first time in the match.
This goal woke GeogSoc up, and the next minutes were fought in the back and forth manner Wengler had expected going into the game. A magical cross from the right wing by Lewis Blannin picked out the big head of Beard at the back post to level the scoreline once more.
This was soon followed by another cross from the same side, this time landing on the toe of Oli Robins, who managed to get enough contact on the ball to grab a third goal for his side.
The score was 3-2 to GeogSoc with ten minutes of what had already been a brilliant match left to be played. Although the intramural side were still looking the more threatening and the 6s seeming deflated after going behind again, a corner with two minutes to go rescued a draw for them.
A good delivery from the set piece was guided in by Hardless for his second of the game, meaning the match ended in a 3-3 draw. At the final whistle, GeogSoc were disappointed, feeling they should have held on to win the game. In contrast, the 6s were both elated and relieved. Sean Howell was awarded the man of the match commendation for a strong performance from centre-back, especially in light of Cupples’ shoulder injury woes.
Overall, the match was a joy to be a part of and was played in great spirit. This was exemplified by a penalty shoot-out which was carried out in jest afterwards. Although keeper Otis Bath dived the correct way for most of the 6s penalties, it was one that completely missed the goal which won the shoot-out for GeogSoc.
Speaking to Epigram after the game, Wengler reflected on the match; 'I felt relieved after Robbie’s equaliser! This was definitely the most competitive friendly I have ever played in, and we could not have asked for a better opposition. I know they take it just as seriously as we do, much like many intramural teams.'
Wengler continued; 'Our performance could have been better, especially in the first half where we were inviting pressure on ourselves. We started playing our football in the second half, and I’m happy that our heads didn’t drop in the last ten minutes. Hats off to GeogSoc for a brilliant match!.'
'Our focus now returns to the Western 7A, as we are pushing for the title and the next two weeks are the most important yet in our promotion campaign.'
It was a game that proved that GeogSoc, who currently lead La Liga - the highest intramural division - play football to a high standard, not just relative to others teams in the semi-competitive format, but beyond this too. It also proved to be a spectacle for the neutrals - the two spectators there - and was a game thoroughly deserving of a rematch to decide who is the better of the sides once and for all.
Get down to Coombe Dingle on Tuesday 11 December if you're interested for trialling for UBAFC, or learn more about intramural football and see the standings.
Featured image by Harry Cruttenden
Who do you think would come out on top in a rematch? Let us know!
