U13A’s march on into the ISFA semi-finals a with convincing win over Berkhamsted School

By Theo Payne

The U13A’s took a significant stride towards possible ISFA cup success with a statement 4-0 win over Berkhamsted School on Monday.

The game started with high intensity, with Hampton’s front three of Yule Choi, Jasper Townley and Jack Marchant piling on the pressure early thanks to precise through balls from Neil Menon and Rafi Berry. However, the Hampton defence was not unchallenged, with Berkhamsted not taking long to make their line of attack clear. Persistent counter attacks quickly demonstrated the threat posed by the visitors on the break. As Berkhamsted gradually grew into the game, it became ever frantic, with counter attacks from both teams keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.

Nevertheless, Hampton began to dominate once more, with Yule Choi tearing through the opposition’s defence with ease, making the most of his speed and strength to expose Berkhamsted’s defence and create many exciting chances. However, Hampton couldn’t find a way through (coming tantalizingly close on several occasions, hitting both the post and the crossbar).

Eventually, the home side’s persistence paid off, with a composed finish from a tight angle by Jasper Townley breaking the deadlock and giving Hampton a deserved lead.

The breakthrough put the wind in Hampton’s sails as they cruised through Berkhamsted’s defence time and time again. Right on queue, Oscar Connel (who had only been on the pitch for a few minutes) stunned everyone with a glorious strike from outside the box than nestled itself right in the bottom right-hand corner. Berkhamsted, however, fought against the tide of the game to see out the remainder of the first half; a profitable one for Hampton.

Half Time Score: Hampton 2-0 Berkhamsted

Berkhamsted weren’t ready to give up just yet, as they came out from half time reinvigorated and ready to put up a fight. The second half started like a new game, with the visitors launching attacks of their own, notably their left winger, who constantly ran at Hampton’s defence. Yet Hampton remained strong, repelling each and every attack with conviction and ever-growing confidence.

Given inspiration from their defence, Hampton’s attack began to surge forward once more, demonstrating that they hadn’t lost their sting from the first half. The floodgates burst open once more, with Hampton soon adding a third thanks to the boot of the striker Jack Marchant. It was thoroughly deserved for both Marchant and the team as a whole.

Despite this, the visitors weren’t done yet, with the Berkhamsted midfield threatening to provide means for breakthrough via long balls over the top of the Hampton back line. The game was still wide open, and one goal could have changed the momentum of the game instantly.

The Hampton defence held ever strong, with goalkeeper Charles Brain backing up Hampton’s defence in the rare event of an emergency.

Still hungry, down at the opposite end of the pitch, Hampton’s attack made sure that Berkhamsted knew of their presence, relentlessly pressing the visitors when they played out from the back, making sure that Berkhamsted had to work for every pass.

With little more than ten minutes to go, Berkhamsted knew that it was now or never.

Bringing on nine attackers and just leaving two to defend, it made Hampton work for every clearance yet left a gaping hole for the likes of Yule Choi, Jasper Townley, Jack Marchant and Neil Menon to exploit. And they did just that. Following a long clearance from centre back Noah Parry, the home side surged forward for the last time to ram home their advantage. Yule Choi finished the chance clinically, thumping the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards out.

As the final whistle blew, a roar when up amongst the Hampton spectators and players. Hampton had reached the U13 ISFA semi-finals with an emphatic and thoroughly deserved win. 

Scorers: Hampton – Jasper Townley, Oscar Connel, Jack Marchant, Yule Choi