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Roses 2006; Indoor Football

The observation stalls above the indoor courts of the Lancaster University Sports Centre seethed with hot, sweaty excitement last Saturday afternoon, as a throng of supporters bustled against one another to secure a good view ahead the afternoon's Indoor Football. With six games to be played the crowd was ready for entertainment. Lancaster got off to a flying start with the men's 4th team securing a 2-1 victory over York. Paul Reay scored both goals for Lancaster and, emerging from the court afterwards, admitted he felt a little queasy, explaining 'it's a hard game, always tough in hot conditions.'

Next on were the women's 2nd team, who went on to dominate the first half with three consecutive shots on target before sadly conceding a penalty to York. Not dismayed, the Lancaster ladies quickly reposted by first equalising and then quickly overtaking York, both goals inside the same minute * a feat repeated in the second half with Lancaster scoring yet another two goals in quick succession. York got a late penalty to leave the score at 4-2 to Lancaster.

The men's 3rd team provided one of the afternoon's most ferocious games, with both teams engaging in very aggressive football. Lancaster demonstrated true resolve early on by withstanding the blinding nature of the York goalkeeper's Hawaiian shorts long enough to secure their first goal via penalty shot. York equalised soon after before Lancaster player Grant Workman, after a dispute with the referee, chose to playfully slap a York player on the cheek. The teams clashed immediately in a brief scuffle that would make a schoolyard slap-about look dangerous. The referee quickly settled things down and play got back underway with York quickly securing a second goal. Successive goals followed to leave the final score at 5-4 to Lancaster after a hard fought match.

The men's 2nd's followed with further aggression. York opened with a successful penalty before Adam Fray went on to equalise for Lancaster with an astounding goal from the court-centre. York scored their second goal in a manner that left many Lancaster supporters expressing concern for the referee's eyesight. Equally perplexed, Adam Fray's grievances over the matter earned him his second yellow card, leaving Lancaster a man down. Final score was 2-1 to York.

The ladies second match saw the 1st teams fight it out in a high calibre game. York conceded the first goal via a penalty and then four more times in the first half, with York scoring their only goal just prior to the first half's end. Finding it difficult to withstand the pressure of the Lancaster team the second half passed marginally better for York, only conceding a single goal, leaving the final score 6-1 to Lancaster.

The final match of the afternoon saw James Hopkins open with a tremendous goal for the Lancaster 1st team, shooting across the keeper into the far left corner of the York net. This was quickly followed by an equaliser for York who then dropped their guard soon after to allow Tom Prothero to push Lancaster ahead. York returned in full strength in the second half, delivering yet another equaliser. Lancaster, refusing to continue with a war of attrition, responded with two succinct goals, securing their 4-2 victory over York. First team captain Andy Settle, who hadn't played ahead of Sunday's eleven-a-side game, felt it had been a 'fantastic day,' but 'nothing compared to last year.'

Roses 2006; Outdoor Football

Footballer's fight for Roses pride

Men's 1st's:

Lancaster 2

York 0

The Men's 1st team match between York and Lancaster had been built up as one of the highlights of Roses 2006 and the largest crowd of the weekend had gathered praying for a Lancaster win. Mother Nature had tried her best to spoil proceedings with overcast and wet conditions but the two sets of players put this to one side to commence battle. The opening period was scrappy as both sides looked to get the measure of one another. Lancaster became more assertive as the half wore on, probing and pressing and asking questions of the York defence but they held firm and it was York who had the first chance. Gaz Peers, Lancaster's goalkeeper, failed to clear the ball as the onrushing York forward challenged him, thankfully for the home side he failed to convert the chance. Lancaster's first chance fell to Jack Froggart who blasted wide in the area following a smart turn from Stu Meney. Vinny Neglia and Andy Settle were dominating the midfield battle in what was turning out to be a physical encounter. There wasn't a great deal of football being played but Lancaster looked the more organised. A streak by a member of the Lancaster Rugby team brought the half to an end; he received one of the biggest cheers of the day for his act of bravery in the cold conditions.

Richard Mennear

Men's 2nd's:

Lancaster 2

York 0

Lancaster University's 2nd team went into this clash looking to make it three Roses wins on the trot. The boys in red and black didn't disappoint as they made it a Roses clean sweep for the football squad following the 3rd teams 4-1 victory earlier in the day. Lancaster dominated play but couldn't get the rewards despite playing on the better of the two University pitches. Lancaster's first chance came in the 20th minute when a marauding run from Richard Streeton ended in a York defender hacking him down. From the resulting free kick the ball broke free in the area only for the shot to be deflected over. Grant Workman also had a decent effort; however, he scuffed his shot after doing well to get in position. The best efforts for York came from set pieces as they didn't really trouble Lancaster in open play. It was a hotly contested competitive match with Captain Steven Cheeseman putting in a number of meaty challenges. The game began to open up as the half progressed and Luis nearly gave the home side the lead with an excellent run and shot that was smartly saved. Lancaster did take the lead on the stroke of half time; an excellent free kick from Ben Duxbury was headed home by Paul Carrol. York started the 2nd half brightly but Lancaster remained solid thanks to Martin Keane's marshalling of the defence. It wasn't long before Lancaster extended their lead; Streeton powered home a header from a Duxbury set piece. Once again the keeper had no chance and Lancaster went on to comfortably see the game out by 2 goals to nil.

Richard Mennear

Women's 1st's:

Lancaster 3

York 1

The wet conditions did hamper play slightly but it didn't stop Lancaster using the flanks to exploit the slow York defenders. The second half started off in much the same fashion as the first, the only difference being that Lancaster had found their shooting boots over half time. Wynes gave Lancaster the lead after some strong work from the home side's midfield; Wynes left with a simple tap in to open the scoring. To everyone's amazement York equalised, courtesy of an own goal from Lancaster's captain. Lancaster pushed forward in search of the winning goal that their play deserved. They eventually scored twice more following several near misses to give them a final score of 3-1. They deserved more following their impressive display.

Richard Mennear

Men's 4th's

One might assume that a 4th's football match would not be of the highest quality, but in actuality

Lancaster 4th's were comprised largely of first team College players, since Lancaster students cannot play football for both University and College.

Right from the off Lancaster looked the more impressive side, knocking the ball around well. York proved to be a slippery, stubborn opponent, who broke up the Lancaster play at every opportunity and scored the first goal with an excellent strike from Andy Purcell after a well worked move down the left.

At half time Lancaster trailed a goal to nil, and despite playing the better football hadn't quite gelled, failing to convert some decent chances. In the second half Lancaster pulled themselves together and began to press home their superiority. Martin Dixon of Lonsdale College scored early on from a corner before Pendle striker Chris Ashton added three more from open play as Lancaster went on to win 4 * 1.

After the game York captain Gareth Davies said: \"We played well in the first half and were pleased to be one up at half time, in the second half we just ran out of steam.\" Lancaster Captain Richard Pilcher was delighted with the final outcome, saying: \"We tried to force it too much in the first half. In the second half we stayed calm and moved the ball around well. Our fitness showed through and we thoroughly deserved the result.\"