Hat-trick hero helps U15B team to victory
By Alastair White
After a long coach journey to Winchester, the Hamptons U15B team lined up against Winchester College. Hampton started brightly, with some good ball retention and passing play. Within the first five minutes Hampton were beginning to control the game, and the ball had reached Tom Fernside’s feet in the six yard box. But an unfortunate bounce, spared Winchester from conceding. Not long after, Ishan Patel got hold of the ball just inside the Winchester Penalty box. After beating a player and some good close control, a low driven shot found its way into the corner of the Winchester net. 1:0 to Hampton.
Substitutions were made, and almost instantaneously Hampton were back on the attack. A great driving run from midfielder Ollie Davies put Winchester’s defence on the back foot, and he picked out a pass to winger Alastair White, waiting in the penalty box. After taking a touch, an outside of the foot effort curled its way into the bottom right corner. Hampton were two goals to the good. After the second goal, the Winchester College defence sharpened up and despite Hamptons best efforts, the half time score remained 2:0.
Hampton -hungry for more- came out of the blocks flying in the second half, and it didn’t take long for Hampton to get another goal. Some good play from the Hampton midfield left Oliver Hamilton open, on the right hand side of the penalty box. A sliced shot at the near post, just snuck past the Winchester goalkeeper. Hampton didn’t let up, as the pressure was once again mounting on the Winchester College defence. However, a surprise shot from the Winchester striker, left Winchester with a corner (the first of the game). With some poor defending from Hampton, the ball was turned into the net by the unfortunate Hampton defender Freddie Philips. 3:1 to Hampton.
Determined to make up for this error, Hampton put two past Winchester in quick succession. A fabulous strike from winger Fernside was the first, and a great lofted ball by Philips was volleyed in by White. With 10 minutes left, a magnificent ball was played down the wing to White, and crossed into Hamilton’s vicinity. One accurate header later, it was 6:1 to Hampton School, but Hamilton was after his hat trick. With the final play of the game, some good team passing from Hampton, led to Hamilton having time and space on the edge of the area. A good touch to set himself up, and a powerful effort flew into the bottom corner of the Winchester net. Oliver Hamilton, hat trick hero. Hampton 7:1.
