U14A win away at footballing powerhouse Bradfield

By Jago Doherty

Hampton U14A beat a tough Bradfield College side away from home in a closely-fought game on Saturday for their third game in the Elgin League.

Hampton went into the game after drawing their last game 0-0 to ISFA runners up, Alleyn’s, and were looking to get their second win in the Elgin League.

Both teams came out fighting, though the away side looked the more threatening outfit. Despite piling the pressure on, Hampton gained no rewards for their labours. 

20 minutes in, Bradfield broke the deadlock after the ball fell kindly to a player inside the box, who volleyed it composedly into the bottom right corner.

However the lead did not last long.  Only a few minutes after going behind, the Hampton squad bit back. After rounding a few opponents skilfully, Chibby Nwoko presented Jamie Wilson with a gift of a pass just waiting to be smashed into the back of the net. And smash it he did – the goal almost broke when the ball hit the back of the net.

The away side came out of the break at top speed, but they could not score the crucial goal to put them ahead in the tight match. 

That was until Toby North headed the ball comfortably into the Bradfield net following a thunderbolt of a free kick from Nwoko that thundered off the underside of the bar and bounced kindly for the Hampton centre back.

Hampton did not stop at two, however, and after a few minutes of hard work and pressure from the squad they went 3-1 ahead. 

The goal came through Hayden Christian after the ball rolled out to the winger before he teed himself up for a volley which he finished decisively into the bottom right corner of the net.

Both sides had multiple chances before the final whistle sounded around the pitch, signalling the end of the game and a fine away win for Hampton.