Strong Hampton performance earns 3-0 away win

By Tom Scrimshaw

Hampton’s U16 A-team continued their winning start to the 2025-26 campaign with an eagerly anticipated clash against Bradfield College, looking to better last year’s 3-1 victory over the side from Berkshire.

With Storm Amy having been forecast to provide gusty playing conditions, both teams knew that they had to adapt their games in order to cope with the predicted 36mph winds: a challenge that the ambitious Hampton side were willing to accept.

Bradfield kicked off the first half the more positive team, eager to do one better over the Hampton side that had reached both National Cup finals last year, but being provided with the tough challenge of breaking through the united black and gold backline.

However, it was Hampton that were able to pounce on the mistakes of the opposition at the right moments to gather some possession of their own, resulting in a handful of half chances.

After a marauding run from right – back Joe Timba, the ball was played into Seb Howard who brilliantly threaded the ball through the lines back into the path of the aforementioned full back, who finished from a tight angle to give Hampton a 1-0 lead.

Now that Hampton had the advantage, they looked to build on their lead, aiming to capitalise on the opposition’s misplaced passes and switching the ball across the pitch waiting for an opening.

Their chance came in the form of a brilliant cross into the box, which was glanced on by striker Ashton Crossley into the back of the net, doubling the Hampton lead going into the break.

For the twenty – five minutes of the second half, it was certainly the team in black and gold that looked the more promising.

A period of intense work rate gave Hampton the opportunity to reap the rewards of their labour, with winger Noah Rasi de Mel dancing his way into the penalty area, and cooly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

However, acknowledging that they now had nothing to lose, Bradfield started to pick up the pace of their own performance, but the Hampton backline once again remained impenetrable, determined to keep their well-deserved clean sheet intact.

In the dying minutes, Hampton showed their determination to further add to their lead, whilst also retaining their composure to see out an important 3-0 win. 

After the final whistle, Hampton proudly celebrated a competitive away win, however attention would soon be turned to a big game against Riddlesdown Collegiate in the ESFA Cup.