Cuppers is often referred to as the highlight of college football. I would go further and say it’s the pinnacle of all footballing achievement. Coveted by all who play the game, yet it’s only a select few who can ever experience a Cuppers win. Lionel and Cristiano won’t get close.

The First Round of Cuppers is notorious for shocks and yet again, this year did not disappoint. With exits for King’s, Trinity Hall and Premier League Champions Downing, it’s fair to say the first round did not let us down.

Undoubtedly the most eye-catching result of the round was Fitzwilliam’s absolute annihilation of the current Premier League Champions. Tipped as the standout tie, I’m not sure many would have predicted such a one-sided outcome – well, except the Fitz team. A statement of intent from the Blues-heavy side, expect them to go far.

But ranging higher on the shock factor scale was Magdalene’s stunning 5-3 victory over King’s. The Division Four side continued their excellent start to the season by dumping out a side two divisions above them, a result that measures with Sidney Sussex’s victory over Premier League Caius this time last year. It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest shocks in recent college football memory - and boy do they know it – as Varsity Sport Editor Angus Satow (of Magdalene) has not failed to tell me.

Elsewhere, Second Division high-flyers Robinson comfortably overcame Emma, Cup holders St John’s progressed with an easy victory over Corpus, as well as Churchill, Darwin, Queens’, St Catherine’s and Girton all safely making it through to the next stage.

 

Fitzwilliam 7-1 Downing

Fitzwilliam: Wolf, Spyrou (x2), Sandbach, Rutzler, Hepp, Roniek

 

Alas, the Champions have been humbled. If Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” needed a footballing embodiment, then Fitzwilliam would be it. Downing, the current Premier League champions, were simply swept away. Cuppers has rarely seen such fluid, progressive and potent passing football as was produced by Fitz on Sunday. Helped of course by having seven university Blues and Falcons in their squad, Fitz ensured progression into the second round with a resounding win. Once Michal Roniek opened the scoring midway through the first half, the floodgates opened. Stefan Wolf was pulling all the strings in midfield, sending a scintillating delivery into the path of Alexi Spyrou shortly after the opener, before getting in on the act himself with an excellent effort from just outside the box. August Hepp then etched his name onto the scoresheet, finishing off another well-made move with a composed finish. Downing pulled one back from a well-worked long throw, but a half-time the game was all but over at 4-1. In the second half, Fitz asserted their dominance, stifling their opponents hopes of an unlikely comeback, whilst continuing to top up the goal tally. It would be Dan Sandbach who would restart the goal-scoring. When the ball went loose 25 yards from goal, Sandbach stepped up to the mark. With his right foot, he sent an absolute thronker into the top corner. The Fitz crowd of 20 were sent into absolute delirium, as was Sandbach, who was to reward himself for his stunner through a well-deserved beetroot salad post-game. Fitzwilliam’s sixth goal of the afternoon would come from the spot; when Guy Emmanuel was fouled for a barge, Spyrou stepped up to coolly slot home. As the game neared its close, Peter Rutzler got his name on the scoresheet by heading home a Wolf corner.  The final score of 7-1 didn’t entirely flatter Fitzwilliam, although Downing will be disappointed to go out in such a manner having not played badly at all. If they ever needed to make a statement about their intent in Cuppers this season then this is it. For Downing, attention will swing back to their title defence, whilst Fitz face Third Division side Clare in the next round.

 

 

Magdalene 5-3 King’s

Magdalene: Webster (x3), Leung, Hobson

King’s: Sagar, Bell (x2)

 

There is little doubting that this game was a thriller. It had it all: worldies, vociferous refereeing protests and of course, a giant killing. Magdalene’s match report opens with “A match that had promised only comedy ended up delivering the highest of dramas, as a much unfancied Magdalene side, led by the inspired Andrew Webster, delivered the shock of the round, and one of the greatest displays of giant-killing in recent college football history.” It’s difficult to argue with that.

Nevertheless, it was King’s who opened the scoring, with ‘centre-back-cum-forward’ Paul Sagar sending a bullet header into the Magdalene net. However the home side responded courtesy of a 35 yard free kick from their star man Webster, who was widely praised by the home and away fans alike. His free-kick slipped through the fingers of the King’s stopper, although away captain Zack Case did point out that “it was incredibly sunny in the first half” …

Magdalene took the lead when Antony Hobson, their very own Rory Delap, sent a 30 yard long throw into the mixer for Thomas Leung to fire home for the second time in consecutive weeks. At half-time, Magdalene held the lead. But it wouldn’t last for long, as King’s came firing out of the blocks in the Second and after a well-worked move, Case sent Bell through on goal to level proceedings. Despite mounting King’s pressure, Magdalene held firm, and then managed to grab a goal on the counter through Webster sweeping home after some sloppy defending from the visitors. If Magdalene’s third goal was founded on excellent defensive and team work, the fourth was one of individual flair and ability. Described as “an exhibition of individual skill”, “a brilliant solo goal” which left “spectators and players alike gasping in disbelief”, Andy Webster secured his hat trick in some style. Picking the ball up around the half way line, Webster beat his man with sheer pace, and then, cutting back onto his favoured right foot, beat a second player before placing his shot in the top right from an acute angle, leaving an unnamed onlooker to comment that “one can't even score goals like that on FIFA”. 

This would be the game’s high point. From here on, things became a lot tenser and considerably nastier. King’s maintained their dominance in search of a way back into the game, and they managed to pull one back when Case again sent Bell bearing down on goal. At 4-3, with King’s chasing the game, things turned ugly. The away side were becoming considerably exasperated with the referee, and things boiled over when Captain Case was brought down in the area, only for the referee to wave away the decision. The decision itself was commended by the home side, however the visitors described the call as a more “blatant decision than Howard Webb’s failure to book Nigel de Jong’s for his karate kick in the 2010 World Cup final”. Needless to say – the penalty wasn’t given. The visiting captain did not take this well, and “some rather tasteless behaviour” ensued, with a violent protest towards to the referee described by the home side “as an act up there with the worst things that can be seen in sport.” 

After things had calmed down play resumed, with Magdalene holding firm for the remaining ten minutes despite wave after wave of King’s attacks. Then, with two minutes to go, Hobson sealed the deal with deftly chip over the visiting keeper. Full Time was met with raucous celebrations on Magdalene's behalf, and utter disbelief on that of King's. 

 

 Emma 1-4 Robinson

Robinson: Colverd (x2), Marino, Donega

 

Robinson are through to the next round of the Cup after another seemingly comfortably victory over fellow Division Two outfit Emma. However, the score-line belies the reality of what was in fact a very even game. Robinson started quickly, and when Colverd opened the scoring with a header to finish off a well worked move, it looked like the visitors might run away it. However Emma more than held their own, creating their own fair share of chances and more than matched the Division Two highflyers. In the second half the home side got their due reward, pulling level courtesy of a very well taken effort from outside the box. Emma continued to press but the visitors weathered the storm, and began to play their best football when they need it most. After creating numerous chances, Robinson finally retook the lead through Colverd after a goal-mouth scramble. Their lead was then doubled when Marino rose well from a corner to head home at the far post. The game was ended as a contest by Donega not long after when shimmied through the Emma backline to finish well and make it four. Emma still continued to fashion opportunities with ten minutes remaining but keeper Harrison was in great form for the  division leaders, producing a fine save to deny them a consolation late on. Emma also had the chance to score from the spot, but it was put wide. Robinson progress, Emma will have to settle for the Plate.

 

St John’s 5-0 Corpus

St John’s: Letrilliart, Selway, Gaskell, Newbitt, Hadley

 

Corpus Christi failed to cause an upset in this one as Cup holders St John’s progressed with ease into the Second Round. St John’s, bolstered by the inclusion of their uni squad members, came firing out the blocks and quickly put an end to any Corpus dreams of a cup run. Goals from captain Letrilliart, Selway, Gaskell, Newbitt and Hadley were all that were required, although they could, and perhaps should, have scored more. Corpus were no doubt hindered by their awful NFL resembling shirts – which are more garish than a neon Christmas jumper. They will now pin their hopes on a good run in the Plate, whilst for St John’s, the defence of their trophy continues; next up for them is a taxing away trip to Girton.

 

Christ’s 0-1 Darwin

Darwin: Maguire

 

Third Division league leaders Christ’s came very close to causing an upset against slow-starting Second tier side Darwin.  In a high quality game that could have gone either way, Tom Maguire’s solitary goal proved to be enough to send the visitors into the next round. The game was perhaps was not one for the purists, with limited chances for either side. However what it lacked in front of goal was made up through the high intensity, although Christ’s will have to thank keeper Yumi Deng, who pulled off some scrumptious saves to keep them in this closely-fought contest. It’s the Plate for Christ’s, who, following their excellent start in the league, look like they could go far. Darwin advance to face Prem league leaders Jesus; a shame really, a Jesus-Christ’s fixture would have provided me with endless punning opportunities.

 

Trinity 0-3 Queens’

Queens’: Hope (x3)

 

To win matches you need hope. And Queens’ have him. A hat-trick from Hope puts the Premier League surprise package into the next round of Cuppers against what were a rather fancied Trinity outfit. Queens’ put faith in Hope, handing him his first competitive match since pre-season – where he scored five in two games. They were duly rewarded, with the returning player bagging two big headers and a cool finish to ensure a comfortable victory. Queens’ may have had four but a goal from Ellis was ruled out for a contentious foul. Queens’ advance into the next round to face Selwyn, whilst Trinity will be disappointed to crash out early doors.

  

Sidney Susex 1-3 Churchill

Sidney Sussex: Shorthouse

Churchill: Holland (x2), Weller

 

Churchill maintained their 100% start to the season with a victory over a highflying Sidney side who have a history of giant killings. Churchill preparations for this victory were not at all ideal, with six first team regulars absent, including “star man Harry Holt, who deemed his attendance at the Rugby World Cup Final more important than the first round of Cuppers.” Eggball prioritised over football is surely am automatic three match ban? Churchill started fast and raced into a two goal lead; first through some good work by Ludo Sappa-Cohen and Tom Rolph on the right hand side, resulting in a cut back that was put home via the underside of the crossbar by Jonny Holland. Moments later, the Rolph and Sappa-Cohen were at it again on that right flank, this time a Sappa-Cohen delivery found the head of an onrushing Weller at the far post. Churchill, comfortable with a two goal advantage, took control of the opening half as Sidney struggled to get a foothold in the fixture. But in the second half they managed to push the visitors back, growing into the game and finding the net with 20 minutes to go after some good work down their right hand side led to a deflected effort from Shorthouse finding its way into the net. Sidney rallied in search of an equaliser, but Churchill held firm, showing ‘great character’ to keep the home side’s forays firmly at arm’s length. Churchill killed the game when Holland dealt the final blow from a corner. A win for Churchill sees them into the next round where they will face Division Two side Homerton – leaving the prospect of a Hill College Quarter Final derby against Fitz still firmly on the table. Sidney will again switch their attention back to their bid to make it into the Second Tier.

 

St Catz 4-0 Trinity Hall

St Catherine’s: Hall, De Jong (x3)

 

Trinity Hall’s season is going from bad to worse as they were unceremoniously dumped out of the tournament by highflying St Catz. A stunning hat-trick from De Jong helped the recently relegated side into the next round, with Hall also getting in on the act. Trinity Hall have now conceded 14 goals in three games, and the Premier League Champions of two seasons ago looked increasingly to be in freefall. They will have to arrest their dreadful form quickly if they hope to stay in the top flight. St Catz meanwhile remain on track to replace them, and they progress to face Caius in the next round.

 

Clare Hall 0-3 Girton

Girton win on a walkover! Girton are safely through and avoided an upset against Clare Hall who don’t actually play in CUAFL. A comfortable victory for Girton, who face St John’s in the Second Round.

Homerton, Pembroke, Jesus, Gonville and Caius, Peterhouse, Selwyn and Clare all