Hampton crowned Hale End champions in U14As season finale

By Tom Scrimshaw

Whilst it would be an understatement to call the Hampton U14A team’s season anything short of brilliant, The Arsenal Academy Invitational Tournament provided the perfect opportunity for the team to bow out for the summer in style, whilst also picking up their first piece of silverware of the season.

On a mild but gusty spring morning, Hampton’s U14As set off across London to Hale End; the venue for the highly anticipated tournament. With the format of the tournament taking the shape of a round-robin configuration, and all matches being 25 minutes long, the team were wary of the colossal effort they were about to partake in, but knew that they most certainly had it in them to play their usual attractive brand of football in all five of their matches.

Game 1 vs UCS Hampstead

Up first for Hampton was UCS Hampstead; a team that had enjoyed their own fairly successful season too and were certainly fired up for a massive first game.

Despite the opposition’s apparent confidence, Hampton dominated the possession from the off, moving the ball quickly along the state-of-the-art 3G pitches. After a handful of half chances cropped up for Hampton, the momentum soon swung the way of UCS Hampstead, with Hampton presenting the opposition with a few chances of their own.

With UCS Hampstead’s only meaningful chance whistling just wide of the post, Hampton dug deep and in the dying seconds of the 25 minutes, Hampton’s midfield gathered the ball and switched it out wide to Ben Whiteley on the left wing. With only a few touches needed, Whiteley expertly cut inside and buried a shot into the bottom corner just before the final whistle to give Hampton a precious win and gift Hampton all the momentum they needed heading into their second game.

Game 2 vs Reading Blue Coat

Next up for Hampton was Reading Blue Coat. Having been 10-1 victors in this fixture earlier in the season, Hampton approached the game with an air of confidence but were also aware that the opposition would most definitely come out fighting.

With the substitutes who sat out the first game ready and raring to make an impact, the game started with a lively tempo as both teams battled to gain a spell of possession.

After Hampton fought hard to regain the ball, a string of intricate passes were strung together by the team and the ball was fed to Ned Leonard who was set through on goal. With a composed touch and finish, Leonard gave Hampton a well-deserved lead. As a result of their well-crafted goal, Hampton felt the pressure lifted off their shoulders and despite a few attempts by the opposition to claw themselves back into the game, Hampton pulled through for their second win of the tournament which saw them rise to the top of the proceedings.

Game 3 vs Buckswood

Looking to maintain their fine form, Hampton next faced a strong Buckswood side who had enjoyed a strong start to the tournament themselves. After a nervy start from Hampton, Buckswood capitalised on some sloppy defending from Hampton’s defence and grabbed the first goal of the game with a thunderbolt of a strike into the roof of the net.

Things went from bad to worse for Hampton, as another break brought another Buckswood goal to install a 2-0 advantage.

Despite the major setback, Hampton dug deep in traditional Hampton spirit and Oliver Khaksar grabbed a goal back with a brilliant strike past the helpless Buckswood goalkeeper. This sparked a hidden fire inside the Hampton team as a well worked attack brought with it an equaliser at the back post from Tolu Idowu, shortly followed by a third Hampton goal from Oliver Khaksar in what was a flurry of Hampton footballing flair.

With Hampton now having taken the lead, they had all momentum with them and showed no signs of stopping just yet. In the final minutes, Hampton pressed up the pitch and the ball fell to the feet of Ben Whitely who calmly slotted the ball into the Buckswood net to secure Hampton’s comeback victory, coming from two goals down to win 4-2.

Game 4 vs Royal Russell

With Hampton now sitting at the top of the leaderboard, the focus was shifted to the penultimate fixture against Royal Russell School. Despite having won their three games so far, Hampton were careful not to get complacent as they were aware of the threat that Royal Russell posed to their winning streak.

Despite a slow start to the game, Hampton looked the better side thanks to their desire to win the ball and urge to attack. Their chance came midway through the game as Hampton striker Oliver Khaksar used his body well to first collect the ball and then sprint through on goal. With a powerful finish, Khaksar struck the ball into the back of the net to give Hampton a valuable advantage.

However Royal Russell were adamant to get back in the game and possession suddenly changed hands, providing Hampton’s opponents with a few opportunities, none of which tested the Hampton goalkeeper.

As Royal Russell pushed for an equaliser late on, Hampton stayed compact and redirected any attempts on their own goal. Despite the late pressure, Hampton stood strong and held on to the victory, putting themselves in a great place heading into the final game.

Game 5 vs Rossall

The final game against Rossall School was a must win for Hampton as both teams were level on points having won all their games. With Rossall holding the advantage only on goal difference, Hampton knew that the opposition needed only a draw to win the tournament, whilst only a Hampton win would result in the trophy heading back to Hanworth Road.

The stage was set. Hampton knew that this was their most important game this season and could feel the trophy within their grasp. As the game kicked off, both teams expectedly flew into challenges early on, seeking any advantage over the opposition.

As Hampton gathered the ball in midfield, play was threaded through to Oliver Khaksar who was brought down illegally in the penalty area to give Hampton the chance to lead from the spot. Alex Pollock stepped up for Hampton, striking the ball against the bar, leaving Hampton agonisingly close to a lead but keeping the game goalless.

However, Hampton didn’t drop their heads and pressed on; eager to win back the ball. As a result of this faultless hard work and dedication, Hampton once again won a foul in the box to present themselves with another penalty. Despite striking the bar with his earlier attempt, Alex Pollock bravely stepped up once again; taking the responsibility amazingly well and slotting the ball home to give Hampton a 1-0 lead. This lead was massive for Hampton as it meant that if they could see out this game, they would soon be champions.

With passion and desire, Hampton held on in the dying seconds as Rossall School brought everyone forward for their last attack. As the ball was thumped clear, the final whistle was blown, crowing Hampton’s U14A team as the Arsenal Academy Invitational Tournament champions.

As Hampton humbly celebrated their excellent achievement and lifted the trophy, everyone reflected on what had been the perfect end to an unbelievable season for the Hampton U14A team.