The second event of Staff Varsity saw the first official fixture take place with Football hosted at the University of Kent’s Sports Pavilion. The University of Kent provided a squad of 21 players for this fixture, due to the great number of interested staff members, Manager Charlie Dast presented two separate 11’s for each half, to give as many people as possible a taste of Staff Varsity Football. Few, however, could have predicted the dramatic end to the game that was to come.
The match was highly competitive was some fantastic football on show from CCCU with a lot of their members meeting for the first time at the game. The first half saw very few chances on either goal, with the midfield dominating the proceedings in the beaming sunshine. Stefan Lupu from UKC managed to create some space for a shot on goal late on in the half but his curled shot was tame and easily saved, this being UKC’s best chance. CCCU dominated the last 10-15 minutes of the first half but thanks to some great defending from James Budge both teams went into the break with the score 0-0.
The second half saw UKC field a whole new 11 (minus the goalkeeper) including Sports Development’s own Charlie Dast and Billy Radford. The game opened up in the second half with UKC having 10 pairs of fresh legs to compete with CCCU’s slowly tiring squad. Charlie Dast running the show in the midfield, firing multiple shots wide of the target including a free kick in a promising position. A few of CCCU’s squad had to be substituted due to cramp but this didn’t stop them with five minutes left to go open the scoring. A lovely through pass through the right of the defence cut through UKC, with CCCU thundering the ball into the far corner to open the scoring and have victory within their grasp. However, just one minute later UKC won a corner and committed most of their team forward. The ball bobbled around the area before Kent Sports Olly Rule fired a fierce volley into the roof of the net to level the game 1-1. This meant the game would go down to penalties…
The penalty shootout was just as competitive and even as the game with both teams successfully scoring their first seven penalties! CCCU stepped forward for their eighth penalty in sudden death and thundered it against the crossbar giving UKC the chance to win. Up stepped Kent Sport’s and the Staff Football Team manager Charlie Dast to win the game for UKC. Charlie cooly slotted the ball to the keepers right to secure victory for the University of Kent.
It was a fantastic game with some brilliant football on show and was played in great spirit. Both UKC and CCCU can be proud of their performances and thanks to all involved for making the fixture such a great experience and spectacle!
View the full gallery of Staff Varsity Football photos!
Visit our Staff Varsity webpage for a round-up of all the action.