The match was sloppy in the opening stages, with neither side making much headway into opposition territory. This was not aided by numerous infringements preventing the players from showing any more than glimpses of flowing hockey in an opening ten minutes which saw no shots on goal.

Manchester however did soon manage to find a foothold in the opposition half and began to pressure the visitors. The result was two short corners, which saw right midfielder Sophie Crosley pepper the opposition goal with efforts that brought the best out of Newcastle goalkeeper Rachel Wilson. Newcastle did look to threaten on the break however, with their forward lines pace adding extra danger. They struggled though to enter the Manchester D with keeper Helen Stephenson forced into action just once, executing an excellent sliding stop to snuff out any danger. Manchester were soon back on the attack with a third short corner seeing Laura Timms go close before Newcastle managed to clear their lines in the ensuing scramble.

Manchester finally made possession count in the 28th minute when the ever-threatening Crosley made a marauding run down the right, taking on two defenders before centering for captain Hannah Cobbold to finish from close range. The goal seemed to finally make the Manchester side click and in the latter stages of the first half there was a marked improvement in their play. Tilly Fatah, who moved up the field from centre back came agonizingly close to doubling their advantage with a weaving run into the box seeing her effort thwarted by a last minute tackle just as she was about to pull the trigger.

The second half began much as the first had ended, with Manchester dominating proceedings, only for Newcastle to blow an unbelievable chance to draw level on the break. Their centre forward allowed a pin point cross to go past her as she stood with the goal at her mercy after her team mates had carved open an exposed Manchester defence. Such a close shave had a profound effect on the league leaders, whose play immediately went up a level. The lead was doubled not long after with left back Abbey Halliday winning a free hit in dangerous territory, a quick pass to Bex Mcguinness saw the left winger slam a shot into the box which deflected off Lucy Waller into the net, much to the anger of the opposition keeper. The home side were now in full flow with Jess Berry proving an excellent pivot in midfield, distributing effectively to her forward line. Indeed it was a sublime through ball from Berry that found Lucy Waller in behind the defence shortly later. Keeper Wilson thwarted her attempt, but Cobbold made no mistake with the rebound to score her second goal and give the Manchester women a three-goal cushion.

The speed of play slowed as the game wound down; however Manchester still threatened with Fatah and Mcguiness combining to nearly score again with only the increasingly exasperated Wilson in between the sticks to deny them. Crosley soon made it four however, when her shot squirmed under the keeper from a short corner. It was a just reward for the winger whose strong running down the right flank constantly threatened the opposition. Shortly after the game had a prolonged pause after a clash of heads which saw Laura Timms depart with an icepack to ease the pain.

As the game wound down, Manchester threatened to extend the rout further with Waller again being put clean through on goal, only to see her clever flick cleared off the line. Lorna Mcmullan meanwhile had another shot saved.

At the final whistle, the Manchester ladies celebrated their emphatic victory. Skipper Cobbold, in high spirits described the day’s efforts as “an awesome performance” commenting upon the tremendous work rate of the whole team. She did however single out Abby Halliday for special praise after a strong display from the left back. This victory sees the team go 8 points clear of second placed Newcastle. Cobbold was also pleased to maintain the teams unbeaten run stating “we want to stay unbeaten for the rest of the season”. On the basis of their comprehensive second half display in particular it is unlikely the Women’s 1st XI will be caught as they seek promotion to the Premier North Division.

Despite notching up 126 goals for the side, football fans will always remember his quite literally skull-crunching aerial challenge on Gary Mabbutt in the 1993/4 season. Perhaps this bruising tackle, combined with an injury- ridden spell at Aston Villa, was what merited his place as 22nd worst footballer ever in the Times Online Worst 50 list.

Although his football career had brought him infamy, his foray into mainstream media brought him to wider appreciation in the public eye. In the 1990’s, Fashanu presented the hit TV show Gladiators, where he used his trademark catchphrase ‘Awooga!’. He also made many other media ventures, once filming a fitness video for women doing exercises in their house called ‘Focus on Fitness with Fash’, which involved utilizing his physique that he claimed was ‘gifted by God’. In 2003, he cemented his celebrity status by coming runner up to Ulrika Jonsson on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here!
In April 2011, Fashanu was the winner of Celebrity Total Wipeout, beating celeb rival Calum Best to claim £10,000 for charity. The Fash brought extraordinary balance, unrivalled agility, and nifty footwork to fruition to triumph on this big sporting stage. Such a performance ultimately atoned for his earlier footballing mishaps in the eyes of the public.

Sheer camera presence has now earned him what is perhaps the pinnacle of his career and his crowning achievement, hosting Deal or No Deal Nigeria. Thus his media savvy career moves lead one to believe that perhaps he did use his head after all; its safe to say however, that it certainly wasn’t on the pitch.

Catch Fash in action on the African Channel, Sky Channel 268.

The game started very tentatively from both sides, with much of the ball being passed between the defenders as the attackers from both sides had difficulty stringing phases of play together. Mulholland for Manchester tried to inject some pace into the game and his weaving run from the half-way into Newcastle’s D brought about the first penalty corner of the game. What followed was an excellent routine set piece, but sadly the finish was swept just wide of the right post. Manchester gained confidence from this though and began to pressurize the Newcastle players on the ball, especially in the mid-field area.

Newcastle seemed to wake up after the first ten minutes responding to Manchester’s pressure and began making progress in their opponents’ half. After several wayward hits into the Manchester’s D a penalty corner was finally awarded, however a powerful Newcastle shot was blocked and dealt with well by keeper Peter Sidwell. Manchester however were unable to properly clear their defensive lines and after what resembled something akin to pin-ball wizard inside the penalty area the ball was slotted home from very close range by Newcastle’s number 10 Hall. The goal came almost as a surprise for Hall whose joyous celebrations were met with a shocked silence from Manchester supporters.

More and more people began turning up to cheer Manchester on. Heads were bowed however from the players after the shock goal. While the home side were keeping much of the possession, legs appeared heavy and very little movement was exhibited. Newcastle took advantage of this and carved out several chances in front of goal but none could be capitalized on. Manchester players became frustrated and none more so than number 6 Andrew Rusbridge who performed a type of rugby, wrestling infused tackle on his opponent. The umpire didn’t take to kindly to the challenge and produced a green card from his pocket.

Manchester players managed to compose themselves and began linking passes together, with number 4 Mackichan and Captain Mulholland dominating in mid-field. Their pressure paid off as they were awarded with their second penalty corner of the game, however a moment of controversy followed as in some confusion the referee awarded the ball be returned to Newcastle for no apparent reason.

Manchester soon won the ball back however and Mulholland smashed a shot that just whistled wide. Newcastle lead was hanging like a thread but they managed to relieve some pressure nearing half time with a long pass out from defense. Manchester were unable to defend their lines effectively and gave away two penalty corners in succession. Keeper Sidwell however was more than a match for them, pulling out two fantastic saves to keep them in the game. Manchester went into half time 1-0 down.

Manchester started the second half brightly and the half-time team talk had clearly geared them up as hard tackling was flying in. Mackichan showed excellent strength whilst on the ball and Newcastle players began to steer clear of him as the half progressed. Manchester built up momentum from defence to set up a brilliant chance in the Newcastle D however, this was then stopped by a stray foot. From the resulting penalty corner Mulholland crashed a shot into the bar, with cries of disappointment from the crowd who were willing it to be just an inch or so lower.

Newcastle breathed a sigh of relief and realized that they needed a goal to seal victory. Being the first game back after Christmas began to show on the Manchester players as Newcastle began to be first to every ball and tackle, making excellent runs and linking play. Both Clegg and Jabbal made goal-stopping tackles when Newcastle were in front of the net but there was nothing they could do when number 11 Kempe sent the ball rocketing into the net from the top off the D after some lovely wing play and cross in 55 minutes into the game.

Defeat now seemed inevitable for Manchester and Newcastle with the bit between the teeth charged forward in attack sending the right and left backs up the pitch. The attacking play paid off as five minutes later Kempe for the second time smashed the ball past a stranded Sidwell from a similar range. Newcastle captain John Colville couldn’t look more delighted when the final whistle rung out 10 minutes later.

A disappointing defeat for Manchester Men’s Hockey who had performed excellently this season in both league and cup. Hopefully this is just a blip in their fantastic form and they can pull it together in their next away league match against Liverpool John Moores.

Anyway, Manchester vs Lancaster at the Armitage. With sunny conditions and a gusty wind to contend with, the University of Manchester 2nd team took on what was to be a very well-drilled Lancaster side. The first opening few minutes confirmed a huge effort was required when only heroic tackling prevented a much larger Lancaster team from scoring an early try.

Manchester made good use of their first phases of possession by making scything runs up the middle and pegging Lancaster down in the corners with some elegant kicking against the wind. Against the tide of play, Lancaster made the first breakthrough on the ten-minute mark by demonstrating some great offloads out the tackle and committed support play at the breakdown.

For the next twenty minutes a battle of midfield attrition saw neither side being able to break each other down with the forwards of both teams failing to gain an upper hand. Throwing wide passes was risky with the wind but a few minutes to go before half time, Manchester demonstrated superior skill when Guy Michels received a long pass on his wing and scooted round his opposite number in the corner.

Lancaster were definitely the team looking forward to the break most out of both teams because Manchester had raised their game up a few gears and looked the team most likely to score. However, after the second half got underway Manchester let themselves down by letting in another early try. This gave Lancaster a great deal of confidence and they peppered away at the Manchester defensive line whilst Manchester showed more brilliant defence. With Manchester once again building momentum, they hit back through a great try by Mike Price and with twenty minutes to go, there was only two points in it and everything was to play for.

Lancaster showed little composure in attack but managed to extend their lead through a third try which was immediately answered with another try from Mike Price who put on a great solo effort from the half way line to score again in the corner. It seemed that Manchester could answer all the questions asked by Lancaster but with the final ten minutes looming, Lancaster scored two quick tries.

Manchester tried in vain to overturn the deficit and spent the last five minutes camped on Lancaster’s try line thanks to some remarkable turnover tackles and astute decision making. However, Lancaster held on frantically and managed to seal a very hard fought win, which could have seen either side come out on top.

Team coach Andy Connaughton said at the end of the game, “We are desperately disappointed we didn’t win this game. I feel like we really deserved it but that mad few minutes at the end cost us. We need to look at where we went wrong and learn from these mistakes because they are the simplest but the most costly”.

Team captain Ben Ratcliffe lamented, “Fair play to Lancaster, they played well but I feel like we were the better and fitter team. Unfortunately for us we let in a couple of soft tries and that is all that matters.”

The University of Manchester Men’s Rugby League Club would like to thank their sponsor Walkabout for their continued sponsorship of the club.

Before the game, Manchester had been in fine form, having won three of their five league games, including an away victory at much-fancied Leeds. However, they came up against a stubborn Dundee side that is enjoying plenty of domestic achievement. Dundee travelled south sitting in 2nd place of the Scottish University Premier League having also made it to the last eight of the Scottish National Cup. The stage was set for a classic cup encounter and the sides didn’t disappoint.

It was a cagey start to the game as the respective defences held strong. Both teams struggled to maintain possession and create any meaningful chances. The deadlock was broken after ten minutes, as Dundee’s Andrew Crone carried the ball on a mazy dribble and his deft pass to the right of the shooting circle was turned in from close range by Ian Macaulay. Manchester responded well to going a goal down, beginning to pass the ball quicker and more effectively. This good play soon came to fruition as Kav Jabbel smartly converted an excellent through pass from Sion Tuckle to put the home side level.

Dundee’s possession was restricted by the tenacious work of Manchester, however their ability to break away with speed was a constant threat in the first half, the skill of the attacking trio of Crone, Macaulay and Paul Martin proving particularly effective. With twenty minutes on the clock, Martin executed a delicate turn on the half way line, leaving two defenders in his wake. He bore down on goal and his ferocious strike forced a superb save. The game was really beginning to liven up, with chances going begging at either end.

As the half drew to a close, another dribble from Martin spelt trouble for Manchester, but his misplaced pass allowed for a chance at the other end. Manchester’s Jacob Plummer worked resiliently to escape the attention of the Dundee defence, before playing a great pass to Dutoy, who controlled expertly before coolly slotting past the helpless keeper from close range. The umpire then called time on the first half, with Manchester holding a narrow 2-1 advantage.

The half time team talk of coach Johnny Bell appeared to work wonders, Manchester emerging for the second half with renewed vigour and desire. Just three minutes in they came close to extending their lead. As Phil Dutoy’s snapshot was saved by the Dundee keeper, Jabbel slotted in the rebound, only for the umpire to controversially rule the goal out. With ten minutes of the second half gone, Manchester deservedly established a two goal cushion. Kieron Mulholland forced another short corner, which he converted comfortably into the bottom right of the goal to make it 3-1.
Dundee appeared a spent force in the second half, as they struggled to cope with Manchester’s attacking play. Macaulay and Martin continued to show their ability, but they were restricted to only one clear cut opportunity, which Macaulay skewed wide of the target. Manchester on the other hand were growing in confidence as the stretched Dundee defence began to concede more chances.

With twenty minutes of the second half gone, the Dundee keeper was forced into action again to save a fine effort from Plummer that looked destined for the top corner. Sloppy errors began to show through in Dundee’s game, and a misplaced pass amongst the defence led to another opportunity. The Manchester attack forced a double save from the Dundee keeper, Dutoy crashing a third attempt against the crossbar from a narrow angle. As the game wore on, Manchester rounded off their victory with a late fourth goal.

More good dribbling from Jabbel forced yet another short corner, which was set up for Mulholland to fire in his second of the match. The team had demonstrated its character in what had been a tough encounter. They will no doubt look forward to building on this success throughout the rest of this season.