Hampton 2nd XI continue ESFA campaign with spirited 3-1 against strong Millfield side
By Archie Hurst
It was an early start for the Hampton 2nd XI, leaving at quarter past nine on the Wednesday morning for a 2pm kick-off at Millfield. The team went into the game with an aim to kick-back at Millfield after a 2-0 loss knocked them out of the ESFA cup competition in the semi-final the year before.
After some perfectly planned stops at services to fuel up before the game, as well as a drive-by sightseeing of Stone Henge, and a nice walk through a local apple orchard, Hampton came off the bus with a steely determination, focussed on their task ahead.
Hampton kicked-off with high energy, creating some early scrappy chances which saw a shot on the edge of the box from Vice-Captain Gabriel Fouché scooped up by the Millfield keeper. This continued throughout the half as both sides grew accustomed to the slippery playing surface. The team worked effortlessly as they slowly ground down the Millfield team, filled with seemingly unlimited energy.
The half-time saw the score level at nil-nil, neither side able to break the deadlock. Hampton entered the second half with fresh legs on the pitch to revitalise their press, and Millfield continued to struggle under the continuous pressure from the Hampton side. More substitutions were made, and a few chances came as a warning from Millfield, with keeper Theo Lloyd making some incredible saves to keep Hampton in the game in the latter stage of the first half.
Then, with 10 minutes to play, a free kick was won on the halfway line, and Louis Basing stepped forward and swung a perfect lofted ball onto the edge of the box. The ball was flicked on by Full-back Ben Wallace, then landing at the feet of Gabriel Fouché who squared it beautifully across the box for Alex Ashton to calmy tap it into the net. Hampton. Went. Wild.
A new belief surged through the side, and it was this belief which fuelled their continued attacking prowess. A corner from Gabriel Fouché was cleared, then resulting in another cross into the box from the Vice-Captain, finding the head of Centre-back Louis Basing, nestling in the back of the net as he wheeled away in celebration.
With the clock slowly ticking down, it was now up to Hampton to control the game until the final whistle. However, the energy did not waver from the 2nd XI side, and a ball over the top of the Millfield defence from Robin Neil was picked up by Joshi Rasi De Mel, and as he sped towards the goal was sent flying into the air by a last-ditch tackle from the Millfield Centre-back, the referee immediately blowing his whistle and pointing towards the penalty spot.
Everyone held their breath as Fouché stepped up to take the kick…and then erupted into a roar of celebration as he cooly slotted it into the bottom right-hand corner.
Hampton then only had a short period at the end of the match to see it out, unfortunately Millfield managing to grab a consolation goal right at the death. Both sides respectfully shook hands at the end, a well fought battle ending with the score Hampton 3, Millfield 1.
Overall, it was an amazing performance from the Hampton side, who, although are looking forward to the quarter final at Home against the Regis School, were rewarded with a short visit to MacDonalds as a morale booster, looking forward to continuing their ESFA cup campaign.
Goals: Alex Ashton (1), Louis Basing (1), Gabriel Fouché (1) PEN
Assists: Gabriel Fouché (2)
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