2016: Ex Lats 2-0 Ex Mancs
Holmes, Quelch-Woolls -
Saturday 14th May, Loftus Road Stadium
Referee - Mr Tom Healy
Assistants - Mr S. Perrin
Mr A. White
Referee - Mr Tom Healy
Assistants - Mr S. Perrin
Mr A. White
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Ex Lats lineup
1. D. Layrea 2. J. Scott 3. S. Mohan 4. T. Cullum 5. O. Simey 6. D. Marshall 7. D. Aked 8. J. Sprunt 9. R. Holmes 10. M. Quelch-Woolls (C) 11. L. Pinn 12. J. Snowdon 14. M. Taguri 15. O. Findlay 16. J. Dearden 
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Ex Mancs lineup
1. D. Morehen 2. P. Browne 3. O. Baskerville 4. J. Thorne 5. J. Gibbons 6. J. Ashton 7. J. Ponsford 8. E. Galvin (C) 9. J. Bugeja 20. W. Jones 22. G. Worley 23. N. Milne 24. F. Kirchner 
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Not since the inaugural fixture in 2011 had the Ex Mancs led the series but after victory on penalties in 2014 and a narrow 2-1 triumph in 2015, the uni boys yet gain lead the series at 3-2. The matches in 2014 & 2015 were both won on fine margins and it seemed that the Ex Mancs came out on top in the previous encounter due to a superior level of organisation. The Ex Lats were desperate not to let that happen again in 2016.
While the Ex Lats went into 2015 with a bare XI, 2016 boasted their strongest squad to date with Oscar Simey, Dan Aked & Dom Marshall returning to the squad while there was a debut appearance for QPR fan Jack Dearden. The Ex Mancs however, also boasted a strong squad with Nick Milne, Joe Thorne & Olly Baskerville returning to the side while Dan Morehen returned in goal. Thomas Mikkelsen lost his fitness race for the Ex Lats so undertook a director of football role for the day.
The 2016 fixture was undoubtedly the most anticipated of the series. Both sides were relishing the opportunity to play at a professional ground and sample the first class facilities on offer. A full set of officials were appointed by the club, while the pitch itself was in pristine condition. Nothing was left to chance and it was a match neither side wanted to lose, especially with a record number of fans in attendance.
The game itself started at a frantic pace. Both teams were desperate not to let anything slip early on so the initial exchanges were scrappy but hard fought. It was the Ex Lats who were getting the better of it though and after a couple of warning shots, they took the lead after a smart move down the right wing. Jamie Sprunt played it into Q-W who then released Holmes to beat the offside trap to race through to finish. The Ex Lats had registered their trademark early goal and it was the 5th match in a row in which they had taken the lead.
A goal down, the Ex Mancs looked to respond and would have levelled the score at 1-1 but for a terrible miss from John Bugeja. A mix up in the Ex Lats defence saw Cullum's short back-pass only half cleared by Laryea, but with the goal gaping, Bugeja lifted his effort onto the roof of the net. The miss allowed the Ex Lats to go into the break 1-0 up.
The 2nd half kicked off in dramatic fashion as Q-W's half-way line shot from kick-off was only just turned over the bar by Morehen. The Ex Lats were looking to continue their first half dominance but the Mancs upped their game and started to take control of the match. They were unable to take advantage of their supremacy though and after chances for Jones, Bugeja & Milne went a-begging, the Ex Lats were awarded a penalty when Galvin brought down Sprunt from a corner. Q-W stepped up and converted in style with a panenka via the underside of the crossbar.
With a 2 goal margin to sit on, the Lats were in now in firm control of the tie and they even came close to adding a 3rd as Q-W hit the post late on. The final whistle was music to the Ex Lats ears as they managed to capture their first win since 2013 and had also prevented the Ex Mancs from an unprecedented hat-trick of titles. After a truly memorable occasion the series is now level at 3-3, so both sides will now be eagerly anticipating the 7th annual final in 2017.
While the Ex Lats went into 2015 with a bare XI, 2016 boasted their strongest squad to date with Oscar Simey, Dan Aked & Dom Marshall returning to the squad while there was a debut appearance for QPR fan Jack Dearden. The Ex Mancs however, also boasted a strong squad with Nick Milne, Joe Thorne & Olly Baskerville returning to the side while Dan Morehen returned in goal. Thomas Mikkelsen lost his fitness race for the Ex Lats so undertook a director of football role for the day.
The 2016 fixture was undoubtedly the most anticipated of the series. Both sides were relishing the opportunity to play at a professional ground and sample the first class facilities on offer. A full set of officials were appointed by the club, while the pitch itself was in pristine condition. Nothing was left to chance and it was a match neither side wanted to lose, especially with a record number of fans in attendance.
The game itself started at a frantic pace. Both teams were desperate not to let anything slip early on so the initial exchanges were scrappy but hard fought. It was the Ex Lats who were getting the better of it though and after a couple of warning shots, they took the lead after a smart move down the right wing. Jamie Sprunt played it into Q-W who then released Holmes to beat the offside trap to race through to finish. The Ex Lats had registered their trademark early goal and it was the 5th match in a row in which they had taken the lead.
A goal down, the Ex Mancs looked to respond and would have levelled the score at 1-1 but for a terrible miss from John Bugeja. A mix up in the Ex Lats defence saw Cullum's short back-pass only half cleared by Laryea, but with the goal gaping, Bugeja lifted his effort onto the roof of the net. The miss allowed the Ex Lats to go into the break 1-0 up.
The 2nd half kicked off in dramatic fashion as Q-W's half-way line shot from kick-off was only just turned over the bar by Morehen. The Ex Lats were looking to continue their first half dominance but the Mancs upped their game and started to take control of the match. They were unable to take advantage of their supremacy though and after chances for Jones, Bugeja & Milne went a-begging, the Ex Lats were awarded a penalty when Galvin brought down Sprunt from a corner. Q-W stepped up and converted in style with a panenka via the underside of the crossbar.
With a 2 goal margin to sit on, the Lats were in now in firm control of the tie and they even came close to adding a 3rd as Q-W hit the post late on. The final whistle was music to the Ex Lats ears as they managed to capture their first win since 2013 and had also prevented the Ex Mancs from an unprecedented hat-trick of titles. After a truly memorable occasion the series is now level at 3-3, so both sides will now be eagerly anticipating the 7th annual final in 2017.