Last gasp goal rescues draw for U14C team

By Jayden Oni

Hampton’s U14C team’s match against King’s College School (KCS) Wimbledon finished all square after their efforts earned them a late goal and a deserved draw.

The game started with both sides evenly matched and hopeful attacks on either side of the pitch. As Hampton got more of a feel of the ball, they started to grow into the game and create lots of chances which unfortunately did not result in a quick goal.

However, soon after and very much against the run of play, KCS led 1-0 as a quick counter attack forced the Hampton keeper Joe Gordon to come off his line, which resulted in a shot going through his legs and into the Hampton goal.

Yet this lead would last mere minutes. Hampton soon equalised when a low cross came into the box which landed at Gabriel Kelly’s feet. The striker then had little to do as he tapped it past the keeper to make the score 1-1.

The second half would be a completely different spectacle. KCS started the half with tenacity with chances in abundance. This positive play reaped rewards and they scored a goal to put them back in the lead at 2-1. A long range shot hit the post and the opposition scored after a low shot was struck from inside the box. The shot was so well placed that all Arjan Walia (the substitute Hampton keeper) could do was watch the shot nestle in the back of the net.

Fortunately, rather than decreasing the morale and spirit of Hampton, the goal encouraged them to push harder to get the equalising goal. Despite the fact that the end of the game was nearing, Hampton did not give up.

Then finally, after a well-fought end to the game, they scored a last minute equaliser. In an unusual scenario, goalscorer’s Billy Wilkinson’s boot  fell off mid-attack near the opposing goal and when he tried to get it, he luckily landed in the perfect position to tap the approaching ball into an open net. Then the final whistle blew, the score 2-2. Hampton’s U14C’s joint captain Alasdair Macintosh said that “Hampton played well both offensively and defensively but ultimately needed to take shots from opportunities to find the winning goal having conceded an unlucky goal.”