It was an early 11 AM kick-off for the two JOMEC teams as they prepared to battle for their first three points of stage one of the 7-a-side IMG season. In stage one, teams are placed at random into groups to determine their ability, which determines their league for stage two: the Championship or the Premiership.

With the teams gathering at 10:45 AM at Talybont North for pre-match training, each side was summing up their opposition, intent on securing the win.

The JOMEC teams, representing the School of Journalism, Media and Culture, were split into 1s and 2s. The 1s were taking on BarcaLawna, representing Law, whilst the 2s prepared for MENA United, Cardiff’s Middle Eastern and North African Society.

JOMEC 1s immediately faced some trouble after both balls were discovered to have punctures, hence causing some last minute drills with the 2s before kick-off. Despite this setback, the boys were still raring to go.

From kickoff, BarcaLawna seemed to be on the back foot, with JOMEC 1s dominating possession in the middle of the park, and any faint hint of a counterattack easily soaked up by the 1s’ powerful defence.

Soon, the JOMEC squad were rewarded for their dominance and constant attacking threat when midfielder, Jude Dray, thundered the ball into the back of the BarcaLawna net midway through the first half.

The 1s were relentless, spectators would assume it was only a matter of minutes before they doubled their advantage. However, the BarcaLawna defence held strong, and at half time, JOMEC’s lead remained 1-0.

The second half saw a revived BarcaLawna side, with the momentum shifting in their favour. Long balls over the JOMEC midfield caused trouble, and after constant pressure, the trailing side finally equalised with a thunderous shot into the top left corner.

With both teams frustrating each other throughout the second half, JOMEC 1s managed to survive the late BarcaLawna rejuvenation to gain a well-deserved point.

On the other pitch, the JOMEC 2s were taking on MENA United in what would be another close game.

With the first half deadlocked, it seemed a scoreless affair was a strong possibility. However, a late strike from Jack Wigglesworth would steal the three points for JOMEC, sending supporters into joyous delirium.

Speaking to Wigglesworth after the game, he talked Gair Rhydd through his goal: “after many failed attempts, I finally managed to get my team a goal. It was a great ball from the right wing, which I let roll across my body to hit with my weak foot into the far right corner”.

Wigglesworth described the match as “tense”, but he was “relieved to secure three points for the team” and to “bag [his] first goal of the season”.

It was a great first match for both the JOMEC squads, and they surely will have gained some confidence ready for the season ahead. For neutrals, this chilly Wednesday morning offered two entertaining, end-to-end games, signalling a promising start to the IMG season at Cardiff University.

Next week, JOMEC 1s take on Music FC, who sit at the bottom of Group A, whilst the 2s will battle ISOC FC in Group C; if the first two games were anything to go by, then it’s clear that both neutrals and players alike will be in for a treat.