U16Bs Overcome Tough Glynn side with Strong Start to ESFA Campaign
By Arun D Crowe
After reaching unchartered territories in the quarterfinals in the year prior, the Hampton U16Bs had started their season with the promise and intent to go even further. Amidst weeks disrupted by weather and helping out with Beat the Goalkeeper at open morning, they had managed to secure consecutive 8-0 and 8-1 victories, with encouraging performances on the pitch in both games. So, when Glyn School travelled to Hampton, drawn against each other in a very competitive first round, the hosts were full of confidence. A small crowd were gathered around F2, as well as the wandering eyes of many in afternoon chemistry, and they all watched with anticipation as the Hampton U16Bs kicked off their 2024/25 ESFA campaign.
It was a scrappy start to the match, with both teams tussling for possession and any real grip on the game, and chances were few and far between in the opening minutes. Neat link-up play between Robert Bercea and Jasper Bird sent Nick Hennebry through on goal on the counter, but the first big opportunity of the match was placed over the crossbar by the striker.
Only seconds later, when presented with an almost identical chance, despite caressing it into the bottom corner, he was denied once more, this time by a dubious offside flag. Omer Olcer’s introduction halfway through the first half added some more control to the match, as Hampton began to get a hold of the opposition, creating chance after chance as the half wore on. But when the half-time whistle came, the deadlock remained unbroken much to the hosts’ frustration.
Much of that continued in the second forty minutes, with Hampton dominating much of the possession, but not necessarily converting it into clear cut chances, and being unable to finish off the chances that they did have.
Bercea hit the post from close range, and Aarish Kesevan struck close from twenty yards out, but between these chances the game often threatened to shift back into the scrappy battle that made up much of the opening quarter.
Even with commanding performances from both centre-backs, keeper Joe Perry was called into action a few times, as well as one heroic last-ditch tackle by Max Vynnytsky. And it was from this centre-back who, with the last play of the game, pinged a pinpoint pass over the top to Tom McMonagle, who sprinted in behind and ran in one-on-one with the keeper. Not one breath was uttered across or around the pitch as everyone watched his shot fly past the keeper, towards the goal…and then inches wide of the post.
And so, at 0-0, the first-round tie was to be settled by another twenty minutes of extra time, and then the ever-looming shadow of penalties. Both sides were struggling with tired legs, however, Hampton were able to take control of the match with possession of the ball and continued to create more chances.
Olcer and Arun Crowe forced the Glynn keeper into two big saves, while the Hampton defence continued to pick up any loose balls and recycle them into the attack. Until at last, in the final minutes of the match, Hennebry picked the ball up from a throw in before driving down the line and smashing the ball into the roof of the net emphatically.
The team sprinted to the corner flag in celebration, before seeing out the final few seconds and securing themselves a hard-earned place in the second round, where they will face Coombe Boy’s, an opposition quite familiar with ESFA ties against this Hampton team.
A statement victory in the U16Bs start to their ESFA campaign.
