By Faniki Deche Sports Editor
History was at the doorstep of the University of Bristol Association Football Club first team as after years of near misses and false dawns, the stars were finally aligning to a first championship winning campaign in six years. All the cards were in their favour heading into the final day of the 2024/25 BUCS Western Tier 1 season. In a three-horse race alongside Plymouth Marjon 1s and Cardiff University 1s Bristol sat two points clear of both sides. Furthermore, with commanding victories like their 6-0 win at home to Hartpury 2s and their 6-2 win away to the University of South Wales, Bristol had racked up a superior goal difference of +12 compared to Marjon's +8 and Cardiff's +3 meaning that only a draw against the latter would suffice.
Earlier that day, Marjon 1s had done their business, beating Cardiff Met 2s, 2-0 to temporarily leap frog Bristol ahead of their 5pm clash. However, the score line was not enough to usurp Bristol's goal difference meaning that they needed a big, but not so big favour from Cardiff. Meanwhile, Cardiff themselves had their eyes on the league but they had by far the toughest task. Not only were they to beat Bristol but they had to do so by a margin of 7 to overtake Marjon's goal difference. Recent history was on their side though as they had knocked out UBAFC 2-1 A.E.T. the previous week in the quarter finals of the BUCS Men's National Trophy. No matter the odds, Cardiff were not going to be pushed over easily.
With a game of such magnitude, it was no wonder that it started off tense but after a nervy first 10 minutes, the game exploded into life. Bristol were awarded a penalty which Amit Waiss converted and five minutes later they made it two after Ben Spano bundled in a free kick delivery from captain, Jack Bilbruck.
Credit where credit is due as one would assume Cardiff would deteriorate. Instead, they rallied themselves and went on to play their best football for the rest of their half. They immediately grabbed one back as a looping cross from the left flew over Bristol's goalkeeper, Ben Jackson, for an easy tap in at the far post. Midway through the half, they equalized with a well worked goal that cut apart Bristol's midfield and backline leaving their striker one vs one against the keeper before coolly converting. At this point, Bristol looked out on their feet whilst Cardiff had the bit between their teeth as Ben Jackson had to bail out Bristol with some fine saves. The UBAFC were in desperate need of inspiration heading into half time. Fortunately for them, in came their moment of the season.
Amit did not have his best game. Despite his early penalty, he was largely quiet in the first half and even after his moment of brilliance. However, in a span of five seconds, he asserted himself as the type of match winner who could create season defining moments out of nothing. Receiving the ball on the left flank with his back to goal and the Cardiff full back touch-tight. He let the ball run through him whilst spinning his full back, taking him out without touching the ball like Vinicius Junior against a hapless Fernandinho. With his marker gone, he immediately cut into to his favoured right foot and smashed in a rocket top corner from the edge of the box. Against the run of play, Bristol headed into half time 3-2 up.
The second half started almost the exact same way as the first. A tense first fifteen with the deadlock being broken by Bristol, this time thanks to yet another free kick from Bilbruck. His in-swinger caused temporary chaos among the Cardiff backline which was enough for Josh Gordon to lash in a half volley with his weaker left foot. A centre forward's finish from a centre back. Yet again, they increased their lead in quick succession through Alec Holifield and for the first time in the game, with twenty-five minutes to go, Bristol were comfortable and Cardiff looked truly defeated.
Changes were made with Adam Sokhal coming on for my Man of the Match, Ben Spano, who despite coming into the game with doubts over his fitness, had yet another commanding performance in the middle which was of course sealed with his goal. Meanwhile, Javi Blazquez came on for Amit and continued the scoring with a fine finish to make it six. Finally, the dominant second half display was sealed with a late finish from Faniki Deche which wrapped up the game and the title in comfortable fashion. 7-2 the final score.
This is what club captain, Tom Flint, had to say.
'So proud of all the boys today, they were immense and great throughout the full 90 minutes. It’s testament to all the hard graft they’ve put in throughout the season, and I’m so glad it’s paid off. Full credit must go to our coach, Alan Tyers, for the unbelievable work he puts in week in, week out, throughout all the highs and lows we’ve had. Respect to Cardiff and Marjon as well for pushing us right to the final game. Everyone’s really looking forward to the play offs now, and the chance to hopefully make history!'
The season is not over yet though as more history awaits with Bristol now entering the playoffs for promotion to the BUCS Men's Premier South Division. Victory here would break new ground for the University as they would compete at the highest division of men's university football for the very first time. The UBAFC class of 2019 fell at this final hurdle but no matter what happens, this crop of players would go down as one of the greatest in UBAFC history.
Lineup:
Goalkeeper: Ben Jackson
Defenders: Matt Greenwood, Josh Gordon, Luca Griffiths, Sammy Morgan.
Midfielders: Ben Pritchard-Cairns, Ben Spano (Adam Sokhal), Josh Pritchard-Cairns (Miles Whilby), Alec Holifield (Tom Menezes), Amit Waiss (Javi Blazquez)
Striker: Jack Bilbruck (C) (Faniki Deche)
Featured image: Simon Goodwin
