By Ollie Scrimshaw
Hampton’s U14 B team began their season with an unfortunate 3-2 loss to Bede’s school. However, bouncing back from the defeat with a 2-1 win against Alleyn’s School was what everyone needed.
Hopes were high and the team were looking confident, as they set up for the start of the game. Hampton started pressing high, with Robert Wrigglesworth applying pressure on the goalkeeper from the whistle. Alleyn’s pounced on every opportunity they could get, with their main weapon being the long ball over the top of Hampton’s backline. Eventually, Wrigglesworth was rewarded for his hard work pressing the ball, and with a brilliant pass from Stephane Ansel, Wrigglesworth planted the ball in the top right corner, after receiving space inside the penalty box. The team celebrated the early victory, even though everyone knew that Hampton could have been winning by many more. The first half was one of many nerves for both teams. Last year’s result ended in a 9-1 victory for Hampton, leading to a potential over-confidence from Hampton and worry from Alleyn’s school. However, despite the nerves, Hampton managed to hold on to the 1-0 lead after a huge opportunity for Alleyn’s not being converted.
The half-time whistle blew, and the players rushed in to Mr Daly, eager to hear how they could improve. The referee indicated for the players from both teams to head back onto the pitch, and the second half was underway.
Alleyn’s started the second half strong, with opportunity after opportunity occurring for their striker. Hampton centre-back and captain Wilf Waterworth defended well throughout the game with brilliant blocks and balls played forward by Tomo Sudo. Nearing the halfway mark of the second half, Finn Timba was substituted onto the pitch, a decision that boosted Hampton’s strength in the final third, leading to a goal scored by Wyatt Musil nearer to the end of the game. A brilliant through-ball from Timba resulted in the cool, calm and collected finish from Musil. Eager to get the game restarted, Alleyn’s increased the intensity, with the Hampton backline being called into action again and again. Eventually, Alleyn’s got their reward for their performance, with a pass into their striker resulting in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Ollie Scrimshaw, where the ball was slotted into the bottom corner. However, time was up and as Alleyn’s restarted the game, the final whistle blew, much to the relief of the Hampton Side.
After the game, Mr Daly described our performance as ‘strong and spirited’. The team faces The Winston Churchill school in the 1st round of ESFA on Thursday 2nd.
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