DMUFC’s Varsity Clean Sweep

Wednesday 27^th April saw DMUFC’s 6 remaining teams in action in their rearranged varsities, over a month after they were scheduled to happen. The 2^nd to 7^th team’s original matches were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

With disappointing BUCS seasons, the 2^nd to 4^th teams were even more motivated to win varsity: 2^nds finished 5^th in their league; and 3^rds and 4^ths finished 5^th and 6^th respectively, in a strange league where 3 points separated 2^nd and 6^th place. The 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th teams always play against their UoL counterpart, however, UoLFC only have 4 teams therefore the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th team had to seek fixtures elsewhere. These De Montfort teams have competed in an intermural league all year, with the 6^th team being crowned champions, so it was in UoL’s intermural league that DMUFC found opponents to play.

With these three games being unofficial varsities, DMUFC had to coordinate the fixtures themselves. 5^th to 7^th team arranged their games to be played on DMU’s new 3G pitch at Beaumont Park, whilst 2^nd to 4^th team played at University of Leicester’s traditional home venue, Stoughton Road.

The day kicked off at 11:30am, with DMUFC 5^th team taking on UoL Law Society. DMU found themselves 1-0 down after about 30minutes, but goals from Sam Eyre and Eddy Okpo saw a quick turnaround, and the first win of the day for DMUFC. With the BUCS league winning 1^st team convincingly winning their varsity 3-0 on March 9^th, DMUFC had secured 2/2 wins so far.

The next game started at 1:30pm, as DMUFC 7^th team kicked off against UoL Medics B team. With early strikes from Godfrey Lemi, Said Ally and Jacob Tumelty there was always going to be plenty of goals in this game. 7^ths lead 3-2 at half-time. Matt Fry and Dom Hurst also contributed to the scoring, and the game finished 7-2 after Godfrey Lemi completed his hatrick. DMUFC emerged victors in this 9-goal-thriller. 3/3 wins for DMUFC.

Meanwhile, at 2pm 2^nd to 4^th team all kicked off at Stoughton Road. Early goals from 3^rd team and Jake Spall in the 4^ths game meant DMUFC lead 1-0 in two separate games. Within a matter of minutes 3^rds scored again, Conor Byrne making it 2-0, then once again 4^th team followed suit, Aaron Wilson grabbing DMU’s second.

The 2^nd team fixture was a different affair, with no goals in the entire first half in what was an extremely tight game. The goals continued in the 3^rd and 4^th team games though. An own goal from 3^rd team’s Deni Bosnjak and a good move from UoL in the 4^ths game meant both teams conceded simultaneously, but DMU held their leads at 2-1. Aaron Wilson instantly replied for 4^th team, grabbing his second of the game, making it 3-1 to DMUFC 4^ths.

At half-time the scores were all in DMU’s favour: 2^nds drawing 0-0; 3^rds winning 2-1; and 4^ths winning 3-1, with 5^th team’s win already under the belt, and 7^th team’s all but secured too.

Not long into the second half, 4^th team made it 4-1, with Aaron Wilson completing his perfect hatrick. Late in the match UoL scored another to make it 4-2, but this seemed a consolation at this point. A scrappy second half in the 3^rds game saw no goals but DMU held on to keep it 2-1 until full-time. UoL scored a late goal in the 4^th team game, but this was only a consolation, as the game finished 4-2. A possible 5/5 wins for DMUFC at this point.

Attention now turned to the 2^nd team game, whose delayed kick-off meant there was still time left. DMU got pegged back 1-0 in a nervy finish to the game, but a quick response from Jerry Elongama meant the game finished 1-1 and penalties were looming.

DMU 2^nds were first to miss in the shootout, with Karl Harris blazing over in the first round. However, a miss from UoL in the third round brought it level, and a sublime save from James Brougham in the fourth made it advantage DMU. Kamron Basi stepped up to take the final penalty, and all he needed to do was score to secure another win for DMUFC. The 6ft3 centre half coolly stepped up and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, sparking scenes of euphoria across Stoughton Road Playing Fields.

DMUFC had now won 6/6 varsities, and hopes of a clean sweep were dependent on 6^th team who kicked off against UoL Medics A team at 3:30pm, Beaumont Park. Medics took the lead in what was a close game, but 6^ths got one back immediately after Perez Mukisa finished off a great ball into the box. Medics scored again before half-time and the dream of 7/7 wins seemed to be over as DMU trailed 2-1, until there was only 20 minutes to go. However, a goal from Ferg Carmichael and a second for Perez Mukisa 3 minutes from time saw 6^th team achieve a miraculous comeback, and when the full-time whistle blew and 6^th team won 3-2, DMUFC knew they had accomplished something incredible!

1^st team manager Chris Franklin tweeted “Months and months of hard work from so many people made days like today possible for @DeMontfortFC. Everyone should be proud” and Chairman, Luke Taylor, said, “I’ve never been more proud than I am today. Chairing DMUFC to 7/7 varsity wins is something I’ll never forget”.