Sydney University take out the ?William Kennard Cup?
Both teams usually strut their stuff in the NSW State League, Sydney University in the Super League, and UNSW in State League Division One, but rankings went out the window as both clubs battled for an annual pride that stretches back over 50 years.
The clash between the respective first grade sides was the culmination of a feast of clashes between the clubs on the day, including women?s and Over/35 games.
The kick off had been delayed by an hour to 4-00pm, at which point the clouds started hovering as the fans took shelter in the huge grandstand at David Phillips Field.
The visitors, Sydney University had inadvertently brought a strip that clashed with the home side?s gold jerseys, and were therefore made to wear red training bibs in the first 45 minutes, before changing into an all blue strip at half time. Unfortunately for this journalist, the players wore different numbers in each half, and they were different again from the team sheet, so apologies for not being able to highlight specific individual achievements for Sydney University.
This year?s event commenced on a sombre note, with the teams forming a guard of honour and a minute?s silence prior to kick off in respect of the recent passing of Sydney University?s brilliant Emiliano Amaro Vigliante.
The match then commenced at a cautious pace as the heavens opened up, the rain incessant for much of the first period, and providing a slippery and unpredictable surface.
The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges, a couple of headers and a volley all flashing wide of the mark as Sydney University looked to take the ascendancy.
Rocky Luca had the first strike on goal for UNSW, his quickly taken free kick rising over the bar as Sydney University were still settling on their defensive wall.
Sydney University put themselves amongst it in the tackle, with two first half cautions lucky not to be a different colour, the second a trip outside the box as UNSW?s David Hardwick was bearing down on goal.
Sydney University striker Christian Soares was proving a real menace for the UNSW defence, his speed off the mark and tenacity opening up a few half chances for his team mates.
Then in the 42nd minute came the breakthrough.
A free kick from wide on the left for Sydney University eluded everyone as it slid into the box.
UNSW goalkeeper, David Porley, saw the ball at the last moment and did well to fling himself to the left, only managing to parry it into the path of a Sydney University player who directed the ball into the net from an acute angle.
It was back to the lecture room as the referee blew for half time, Sydney University deserving their 1-0 lead on the balance of play, although UNSW did come into the match more so as the game went on.
And they almost pulled level on 52 minutes when Barrett made a foray up field, racing into the Sydney University penalty box before cutting the ball back to Hardwick.
The ex-Balmain midfielder steadied before cracking a firm shot, alas, straight into the arms of the Sydney University keeper.
UNSW?s Andrew Harb had been the victim of a couple of over zealous first half challenges, but dusted himself off before nearly restoring parity for the home side on the hour mark.
The right fullback picked up a short corner on the edge of the box, before swiveling and unleashing a left footed curler that flew inches wide of the far post.
A major talking point occurred in the final minutes when another run by Barret culminated in a cross-shot, the ball falling invitingly to substitute Luciano Silva, who seemed to be tackled from behind just as he was about to pull the trigger. To the bewilderment of the home side, the referee waived play on, and Sydney University held on to record a 1-0 win and take the Cup.
For the victors, Soares was a real handful up front, looking most likely to score with his penetrating runs, whilst Robert Morrison was forceful and effective out wide on the right, often getting in behind the UNSW defence with his crosses.
For UNSW, Michael Janov and Harb were strong defensively, winning their personal duels and often getting the play up and running for UNSW, whilst Joe Di Natale was creative and silky with his technique in the midfield.
UNSW coach, Luke Andrews has been shrewd in the off season, and assembled a competitive squad, although no doubt will feel the loss of last season?s prolific top scorer, Stuart Meney, whilst for Sydney University coach, Chris Caruana, an early season piece of silverware will give his team confidence going into their Round 1 match of the competition proper in a fortnight.
Match Stats
2010 Kennard Cup
Sunday, February 28, 2010
David Phillips Sports Field, Daceyville
University of N.S.W. (UNSW): 1. D.Porley, 5. L.Lewis (26.L.Dovelaar 53?), 3. M.Janov, 2. P.Lloyd ?, 6. A.Harb, 28. D.Hardwick (17. M.Karagiannis 67?), 4. G.Cassidy, 8.P.Di Natale (11. C.Claridge 49?), 21. A.Barrett, 18. R.Luca, 23. S.Anastasopoulos (7. L.Silva 62?). RGK-5. L.Pulbjic.
Sydney University: 1. J.Faerber, 28. A.Bit, 2. C.Delaney, 12. S.Savor, 3. S.Turner, 5. P.Medulla, 21. D.Merrin, 8. R.Morrison, 26. M.Havren, 4. M.Dowling, 10. C.Soares. 23. L.Delaney, 14. D.Vujovic, 27. S.Kacos, RGK-J.Lowery.
The History
William Kennard was a London East End Jew who served in the RAF as a wireless operator in World War II.
He was a fanatical Charlton Athletic fan, and managed to get tickets to watch them in consecutive FA Cup Finals in 1946-7, the latter a victorious occasion as they defeated Burnley 1-0.
Prior to his migration in 1947 with his family to Sydney, his involvement in soccer was as an amateur referee. Once settled in the Eastern Suburbs, Kennard became a supporter of the Sydney Hakoah club, just in time to witness and be part of a fruitful time for NSW soccer which saw, amongst other things, the newly emerging ethnic based clubs.
William Kennard served as a member of the promotion committee on the NSW soccer federation, of which one of the initiatives was to introduce preseason night soccer at Lidcombe Oval.
William Kennard was the patron of this first Federation competition, donating the silver cup which bears his name and a prize of 100 pounds for the winning team. It was the combination of his business acumen, charitable nature and love of football that lead to his sponsorship of the Federation?s first competition before it was even known that the organization would be a success.
He would have been personally gratified when his beloved Hakoah took out the very first Kennard Cup by defeating Lane Cove 5-1 on Friday, March 27 1957, in front of almost 4,500 spectators.
Ampol Petroleum saw the opportunity to advertise itself to a wider community, and took over full sponsorship of this tournament in 1959 ? a popular tournament which became known as The Ampol Cup.
The great Canterbury coach Jo Vlasits suggested that the Kennard Cup be donated to the two Sydney universities for an annual test of strength between the two clubs. This offer was accepted and the first encounter was won by Sydney University at Randwick Oval on July 10, 1960. UNSW then dominated the annual event until 1966, when Sydney University were once again victorious.
UNSW?s total dominance of the competition from 1977 to 1986 lead to a loss of interest by all parties, until February, 1996, when the presidents of Sydney University and UNSW soccer clubs were brought up to date on the history of the Kennard Cup.
The clubs agreed to resume a competition called Kennard, complete with a new trophy, in honour of William Kennard, who died, after a long and successful life, in October, 1989, aged 89.
-By Frank Speranza
