Penalty Shootout Drama Sees 3rd XI progress to Trinity Cup Semi-Final
By Charlie Helm
In a tense and electrifying 100 minutes of non-stop back and forth football, followed by an incredibly cooly taken set of penalties, we saw Hampton’s 3rd XI come out victorious in the quarter finals of the Trinity 2nd XI cup, against a strong Alleyn’s side.
On Saturday, the third team geared up for their first game of cup football this year, having gone unbeaten in all but three of twenty-one games leading up to it. The first half saw a brilliant display of classic Hampton football – the midfield three of Jay Cairnes, Ollie Davies and Robin Neil, skilfully helped move the ball around the pitch away from the Alleyn’s players – yet the half ended in stalemate.
But early into the second half, the deadlock was broken by Alleyn’s: a long-range strike into the bottom right corner, took goalkeeper Will Brown by surprise. The boys kept their heads up, however, and the game sprang to life. Only shortly after, following a lovely passage of play ended by a foul on Ollie Davies, Hampton won a free kick in an ominous position just outside the right-hand corner of the box. A delicate Harry Gregory cross over a sea of players was met by the head of Ben Rollason, who struck it into the net. Fierce play continued, and before long it was back to a frustrating game of box-to-box football, all players working hard. Just before the full-time whistle was blown, four fresh legs were brought on in Saganan Thuraisingham, Charlie Helm, Freddie Hunt and Felix Lyon, all eager to play their part in the team’s success. Extra time.
A boost in energy gave Hampton the upper hand, creating numerous chances down the right wing through Oli Lacey and Davies, but they struggled to penetrate the well-guarded Alleyn’s net. The pre-penalty nerves set in, and there was a final prospect of a blistering counterattack following a poor corner from the opposition, which was quickly neutralised by the ref’s whistle.
Freddie Bate bravely stood up for the first penalty, slotting it neatly in the bottom right corner. A lacklustre effort from the next-in-line petered nicely into the arms of Will Brown. Convincing penalties from Gregory and Shivam Handa maintained the lead, but it was shortly levelled following a saved effort from Rollason. Cairnes stepped forwards to take his penalty, a large crowd of Hamptonians egging him on from the sidelines – he too took it calmly. It all came down to the final penalty. Will Brown stood up straight with confidence and leapt excellently to keep out the shot, sealing the victory for the 3rd XI, and standing up only to be jumped on by a hoard of excited fans and players in celebration.
The semi-final is to be played at home on the 3G this Saturday against RGS Guilford.
