Hampton U15A advance in style in ESFA Cup with 5-0 victory over Therfield School
By Tom Scrimshaw
Hampton’s U15 A-team began their 2024-25 ESFA Cup campaign at home against Therfield School on Tuesday afternoon. The team were looking to kick off their cup run in style after their unbeaten start to the new season under new coach Mr D Boyes.
After a hard fought 1-0 win on the weekend, Hampton were certainly fired up for the occasion, having yet to have conceded a goal in their first couple of games; sparking an air of confidence amongst the defence.
Hampton kicked off the first half confidently, letting Therfield have the majority of the ball, but pouncing on their mistakes at the right moments to gather possession. Hampton had a handful of attempts on goal, but ultimately failed to trouble their keeper.
After 15 minutes of play, both teams had had spells of keeping the ball, but nothing stood between the sides yet.
Hampton was creating lots of chances through the attacking players by moving the ball out wide but were not clinical enough to open the scoring.
After an interception in midfield, Rufus Lawson unleashed himself on a marauding run at the Therfield defence, expertly threading the ball through to Oliver Khaksar who finished past the keeper. 1-0 Hampton.
With only a few minutes left before the break, Hampton looked to capitalise on the misplaced passes by the opposition to score another. Despite increased pressure from the Hampton side, resulting in more half-chances, the lead remained 1-0 heading into half-time.
Hampton came out for the second half with all guns blazing. For the first ten minutes of the half, it was the team in black and gold that looked the more promising. The midfield battled hard to regain the ball and switched the play to Khaksar, who controlled the ball calmly before powerfully striking the ball beyond the helpless keeper to double Hampton’s lead in the tie.
Now that Hampton had a more comfortable lead, they looked to retain possession whilst still seeking to score at the right opportunity.
Ned received the ball through on goal after a cleverly timed run, taking a couple of touches before stroking the ball into the back of the net. Hampton led 3-0.
An attack by Therfield School paid little in the way of meaningful returns, and, as the opposition started to lose energy, Hampton attacked further.
Alex Pollock burst into the Therfield’s penalty area, gliding effortlessly past the oncoming defenders, finessing the ball into the bottom corner with great composure to give Hampton a four-goal lead.
In the dying minutes, Hampton showed their determination to go for another and after a few close chances for the team, a fifth goal was added to the tally by Leo Nishida, smashing the ball home to all but guarantee Hampton’s place in the next round.
After the final whistle, Hampton proudly celebrated their confident start to this season’s ESFA campaign. For the under 15As focus is now turned to a crunch clash with Winchester College next week.
Full Time: 5-0 Goal-scorer(s): Oliver Khaksar (2), Ned Leonard, Alex Pollock,
