U12C fall to Radnor House despite promising performance

By Alasdair McIntosh

Hampton’s U12C football team suffered a disappointing defeat against local rivals Radnor House, losing 3-1.

Straight from the first whistle, Radnor dominated.  So at first the game was played mainly in the Hampton half and penalty area, bringing out some determined defending from the home team.

But then a Radnor player weaved his way past two Hampton players to the edge of the box. A Hampton defender got a foot in but unfortunately kicked the ball against the Radnor attacker and it ricocheted off his shin into the goal. 

Next Radnor strung together some exceptional passes to take them into the box, and their attacker shot directly into the right-hand bottom corner. No one could have stopped the shot. 2-0 to Radnor.

No more goals came in the first half but there were some very close chances. One came to Hampton. The midfield had put together some great passes but the Hampton striker was tackled on the edge of the area. 

Another chance fell to Radnor House.  Their striker received the ball at the edge of the box, and he turned and shot too fast for any of the defenders to react. Luckily goalkeeper Billy Wilkinson was there to save the day with a huge dive.

With ten minutes to go Hampton scored their first goal. Left winger Gabriel Kelly was given the ball on the left side of the box and he lobbed it over the keeper into the back of the net.

Sadly the Hampton players’ smiles did not last long as Radnor scored a late winner.  From a corner a Radnor striker slipped unnoticed to the back post and headed the ball into the net. 

It was a disappointing game for the U12Cs though they did have some great pieces of play.