Surrey Cup success in superb season send-off for 1st XI
By Harry McLusky
Hampton’s 1st XI have signed off an excellent footballing season with silverware, narrowly overcoming Epsom College with a 1-0 scoreline in the final of the Surrey Cup.
In what would be his last game for the school, Jamie Wilson’s early goal was the difference between the two sides in a closely-fought encounter which could have gone either way.
Hampton made the all-important breakthrough just ten minutes in, as Zain Suterwalla’s powerful strike was parried by the Epsom goalkeeper, with Wilson being in the right place at the right time to smash it home from close range.
With an early advantage in hand, Hampton continued the first half with attacking impetus, creating countless chances which they were unable to convert.
Wilson and Suterwalla combined again with the latter firing just over after a clever drag back. Suterwalla also had the ball in the net five minutes later, but the ball was adjudged to have gone out of play just beforehand, denying Hampton’s second.
Zaki Sadiq-Baig struck the bar with a sweetly-hit volley and Toby North forced the goalkeeper into evasive action, tipping over his bullet header, following a corner.
Heading into half time, a rigorous defensive display denied Epsom any threat at Conrad Knight’s goal. Their first shot on target came after 26 minutes, with Knight making no issue of a tame effort on goal from just inside the penalty area.
Nonetheless, Epsom were rapidly growing into the game, with their half-time team talk clearly giving them a refreshed sense of energy and zeal.
Having replaced Knight between the sticks at the break, Sam Ellis was immediately called into action, executing an astonishing reflex save down to his right to deny Epsom an equaliser soon after the interval.
Hampton’s attacking venom remained an ever-present threat, with Jamie Wilson giving Epsom a stark reminder of his ability, powerfully driving forward from the half-way line before unleashing a lethal strike from 30 yards, only being denied by the woodwork.
Talismanic centre-back, Toby North, remained a formidable danger on corners, narrowly missing the target from inside the six-yard box.
Zain Suterwalla led a late Hampton break with lightning pace, knocking it past Epsom’s last defender to leave him one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, he was unable to get the ball out his feet, allowing the Epsom ‘keeper to make a great block to deny what would’ve been a well-deserved goal after the forward’s fantastic all-round display.
Despite their opportunities, Hampton were forced to weather the storm of an electric Epsom attacking performance in the second half. Left-back, Aaron Mills, made a fantastic recovery to block off an Epsom counter-attack that seemed destined for the goal. Max Irens also tracked back well to block off a separate Epsom offensive, before their threatening free kick from just outside the box was drilled low into the Hampton wall.
The Hampton faithful who had made the journey down to Dorking for Friday’s clash were treated to a nail-biting finish with the 1st XI just about managing to hold off Epsom’s relentless bombardment and earn the perfect send off for the Upper Sixth players in their final football match in the Hampton black and yellow.
A record second-placed finish in the Hudl League and Surrey Cup silverware sums up yet another successful season for the 1st XI, despite disappointment in the ISFA and ESFA competitions.
The 2nd XI have also reached the final of the London IS Cup, with their game likely to be played after the Easter holidays.
