Hampton 2nd XI Begin Elgin League Campaign With Thrilling Draw
By Alex Watson
It was an early start on Saturday for the Hampton 2nd XI. Arriving at school just past 8am, they made the long trip up to Brighton for their first competitive fixture of the 2025-26 campaign, an away match against Bedes School in the Elgin League.
A squad consisting almost entirely of new players, the latest Hampton second team certainly have a lot to live up to this season after the incredible treble-winning exploits of their predecessors, which included an Elgin League cup victory.
They didn’t get off to the best start, however; just a couple of minutes into the game, and an outrageous halfway-line strike from a Bedes midfielder floated over the head of Max Cooper in the Hampton goal. Talk about a wake-up call.
But Mr Leafe’s men didn’t let their heads drop early, knowing they would be able to create plenty of chances on a small, narrow pitch, soft and slippery underfoot from the morning rain.
An even period in the game followed, with both teams battling fiercely in midfield and looking dangerous every time they broke forward into the opposition half. A fierce shot from the edge of the box forced Cooper into a strong diving save, whilst at the other end Hampton were tantalisingly close to getting onto the end of several dangerous crosses from Finley Milner and Ben Wallace.
Ultimately, it was the visitors who struck back, midway through the first half. A clever turn from Alex Watson on the edge of the box afforded him the time and space to slip a through ball into captain Danny Mills, whose powerful finish gave the home ‘keeper no chance. 1-1.
The Hampton celebrations had hardly finished, however, when they were once more picking the ball out of their own net, as a low shot from the edge of the box skidded home at the near post to restore Bedes’ advantage.
A flurry of Hampton attacks followed, but an organised Bedes defence managed to nullify the pressure and secure the lead for their side going into half time.
Reinvigorated by a positive team talk from coach Mr Leafe, the Second XI came out all guns blazing after the break, and the dogged running of forward Connor Hendricks was rewarded when Josh Gaughan picked him out with a perfect ball over the top. Through on goal, Hendricks’ initial effort was saved, but he kept his composure to tap the rebound into an empty net.
Hampton were firmly on the front foot now. Bedes’ forwards were still keeping Cooper busy with a constant barrage of long-range efforts, but they were struggling to break into the box, whereas the visitors looked like cutting through the home defence with every attack.
It was Hendricks again who ultimately proved the difference. Breaking into the box, he was clumsily brought down by a Bedes centre-back, and the referee was quick to point to the spot.
With the Second XI not yet having an official penalty taker, it was captain Mills who shouldered the responsibility. Though his initial spot kick was saved down low by the keeper, the ball came back to him at a nice height, and the skipper made no mistake on the follow-up, heading home to grab his second of the game and put his side into the lead for the first time.
Not that it lasted long. A mazy run from the tricky Bedes no.10 left him baring down on the Hampton goal, and he matched his skilful run with an impressive finish into the bottom left corner.
Ten minutes to go then, and with the game all square once more, it was set for a thrilling finish. With the rain beginning to pour down, both sides pushed forward desperately in search of a last-gasp winner, and both came close: it took another brilliant Cooper save to keep out a swirling, long-range effort from a Bedes midfielder, before a cut-back across the box from Watson was ever so nearly bundled into the net by Mills to complete his hat trick.
Ultimately, Hampton’s late efforts in attack were unsuccessful, but thanks to some dogged work from the Hampton defence, as well as Dominic Stenning in the midfield, the scoreline still read 3-3 when the referee blew for full time.
A very promising start to the season for the Second XI, who will surely only improve as they get stuck into a busy fixture list over the next few weeks. Their Elgin League campaign continues on Tuesday with another away match, this time against Aldenham.
Full time: Bedes 3 vs Hampton 3
Goals: Daniel Mills (2), Connor Hendricks (1)
Assists: Alex Watson (1), Josh Gaughan (1), Connor Hendricks (1)
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