Regional College retain trophy

Colleges Football

ALL-CONQUERING Huntingdonshire Regional College retained their British Colleges national football crown after defeating Truro College 3-0 at Doncaster Rovers’ Keepmoat Stadium last Wednesday.

Joe Furness, Craig Hill and Barratt Steward grabbed the goals that meant the college retained the trophy – and remain the country’s top college side – for an unprecedented second successive season.

Proud principal of HRC, Susanne Stent, said: “This is a tremendous achievement by the students, many of whom will progress on to university.

“No other college has ever won the championship title consecutively, which highlights the growing success of the college, not just academically but through sport and other activities.”

And that leads them nicely into today’s match against Telford College at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.

They will be looking to complete a double triumph by lifting the Premier British Colleges Sport National Knock-Out Cup.

HRC took the lead against Truro 20 minutes in, courtesy of a 25-yard free-kick from Huntingdon Town midfielder and man of the match Furness.

A nervous end to the first half should have seen the Cornish side draw level – as they dominated possession and control – but were held at bay.

The lead was doubled on 75 minutes when the team put together a flowing move from the back.

And, after 10 passes, Hill was left with a central shooting opportunity 20 yards out, which he placed superbly into the bottom right-hand corner.

The win was sealed in the closing stages with HRC hitting Truro on the counter-attack and Steward running 40 yards before rounding the keeper and slotting home from a narrow angle.

Squad: Harry Allington, Max Avory, Jordon Gent, Charlie Bowen, Matt Cox, Jake Walton, Joe Furness, Craig Hill, Cameron Stephens, Jack Warwick, Jordan Nicholson, Barrett Steward, Jack Saunders, Tom Spark, Aidan Hollis and Aaron Shambrook.