U14Cs complete comfortable 2-0 win in difficult conditions

By Alasdair McIntosh

After a draw against Wellington College in their previous fixture, Hampton U14C team were determined to get a win. Their hopes became reality as they beat Whitgift School 2-0.

The whistle blew to start the game and both teams were forced to get used to the wet and slippery conditions caused by rainfall the previous night.

Hampton were first to adapt and challenged Whitgift with a series of attacks. After regaining possession, Whitgift were quick to counter and with long balls over the top, and centre-backs Connor Hendricks and Alasdair McIntosh were under constant pressure. Each time this happened they were able to either launch the ball to waiting wingers or lay it off to full-backs and pass their way out from the back.

The first goal of the match came from Rohan Paul Muktieh. He regained possession at the halfway line and after dribbling down the wing, he cut inside and blasted the ball in the top right corner. The ‘keeper didn’t stand a chance.

Although the rest of the first half lacked much action, Whitgift’s best chance of the game arrived after a long ball over the Hampton defence to their striker. It was a one-on-one and goalkeeper Rocky McCann was quick to react. However, he did not have to worry as the powerful shot from the Whitgift striker sailed over the crossbar.

It was an even game for most of the second half, with much of the play happening in the middle of the pitch giving the Hampton midfielders a lot of work to do and tested their stamina.

One goal behind, Whitgift were fixed on scoring an equaliser. They created many opportunities yet each was either put wide or saved by ‘keeper Joe Gordon.

It seemed that Hampton were still hungry for more as, in the last attack of the game, the ball was threaded through to winger Ben Wisniacki who crossed the perfect ball for Dante Patel to volley into the back of the net.